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Description
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ToC Lesbians with Strength (p20); Curve Mystery Movie (p28); Naked Ambition (p36); Date Night Done Right (p42); My True Trans Story (p50); Fight Club Love (p56); The Size is Right (p58); The River Wild (p72); Big Island Life (p77); Cover: Margaret Cho (p62).
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issue
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2
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Date Issued
-
Apr-May 2017
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Format
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PDF/A
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Publisher
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Frances Stevens
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Identifier
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Curve_Vol27_No2_April-May-2017_OCR_PDFa.pdf
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extracted text
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,-------~--------•
JOIN OLIVIA FOR A BUCKET-LISTTRIP
• Seattle, WA·
Stephens Passage· Juneau, AK· Hubbard Glacier·
• Sitka, AK • Ketchikan, AK • Victoria, BC, Canada • Seattle, WA •
Abundant Wildlife
History & Culture
Adventure & Activites
Breathtaking Views
CURVE
READERS!
MENTION"CDL17"
WHENYOU CALL
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APR/MAY
2017
FEATURES
20
LESBIANS WITH STRENGTH
Reducing your BMI is not as
important as building your
core strength.
28
CURVE MYSTERY MOVIE
We've compiled the results of
our reader poll for your viewing
pleasure.
36
NAKED AMBITION
Undies that make you feel
empowered, by Dani Read.
~2
DATE NIGHT DONE RIGHT
Casual, romantic, and easy
outfit ideas.
50
MY TRUE TRANS STORY
Lucas Silveira'sjourney from
female to male, told in his own
words.
56
FIGHT CLUB LOVE
Meet the fighters who are also
a loving couple out of the ring.
58
THE SIZE IS RIGHT
Musician Amy Ziff shares her
body image insight.
72
THE RIVER WILD
Get physical with white water
rafting in West Virginia.
77
BIG ISLAND LIFE
The newest of the Hawaiian
Island chain has plenty to offer.
2
CURVE
APR/MAY
2017
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
IN EVERYISSUE
4
EDITOR'S NOTE
6
CURVETTES
8
FEEDBACK
10
THE GAYDAR
80
STARS
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
TRENDS
REVIEWS
11 OUT IN FRONT
Meet the community leaders
who are doing us proud. By
24 MUSIC
Have you tuned into Aussie
sister act, The Veronicas? By
Sheryl Kay
Gemma Dart
11 IN CASE YOU MISSED
IT ... LGBT news from across
the country. By OutNews
26 FILMS
Did you vote in our Curve
Mystery Movie for the inagural
ClexaCon? The results are in!
Global
12 WOMEN WE LOVE
Each issue we pick a lucky lady
with a look and a life to match.
13 LESBOFILE
What's new and noteworthy
with our favorite celesbians.
By Jocelyn Voo
By Annalese Davis
31 BOOKS
Bisexual adult actor pinups are
yours to peruse in a new NSFW
coffee table book by Ellen
Stagg.
32 SHORT STORY
An intriging excerpt from the
mystery novel Under Parr. By
VIEWS
Andrea Bramhall
16 POLITICS
Deep thoughts and heartfelt
convictions on a different topic
each issue from our contributing politics editor. By Victoria
78 CROSSWORD
Can you tame our Queer Quiz?
A. Brownworth
LAST LOOK
By Myles Mellor
18 ISSUES
Our in-depth look into a hot
button topic affecting queer
women worldwide.
APR/MAY
2017
CURVE
3
Let's Get
Physical
I
'm going to be honest with you: Last year when we were
planning the editorial calendar, I looked at this spring's Body
Issue and I thought, Do we really need this again? When it
comes to the lesbian body, or the queer or bisexual female body,
we now know it's OK to be ourselves, in whatever shape or form
that is. Don't we? Do we really need more affirmation of that?
Oh, but so much can happen in a year! How the rug has been
pulled out from under us. And one of the most destabilizing
things to affect our physical beings was the digital seduction that
made us think our bodies did not matter much anymore-were
not vital to our social presence-because look at what we can do
from the safety and anonymity of a keyboard. We can maintain
a presence without physical commitment! How wrong we were.
How complacent.
This past year we have learned that bodies do matter: Bodies
matter when we are seeking health services, crossing borders,
negotiating with a lover, giving or denying consent, and resisting
oppression. Bodies matter when we wish to find community, when
4
CURVE
APR/MAY
2017
we want to celebrate, and when we grieve. Bodies matter when
we need to turn up at the polling booth or the protest site. Bodies
become the last site of resistance when order becomes chaos and
the neutrality of a glowing screen cannot shield us from reality.
Bodies matter when it's time to turn up in person and say "No."
Millions of women, many of them lesbian or queer, rediscovered
their bodies this past January at the women's marches across the
country and around the world. This physical awakening of women
is essential to our freedom. So much emphasis has been placed on
how we are seen and what is done to us, rather than on what we
see and what we do.
Jill Soloway made a powerful speech on gender and the female
body at the 2017 Makers Conference on February 7 (Makers is a
storytelling platform for the trailblazing women of today and
tomorrow). The genderqueer, feminist TV showrunner refuted
President Trump's #DresslikeAWoman decree and questioned
many of the cultural stereotypes that women have been
coerced to accept. "Men get to be wholly unattracting, while still
commanding lots of power, because in patriarchy men see and
women are looked at;' she said. Soloway issued a battle cry, urging
women to worry less about how they look "so that we can march
all day and scale walls all night, boundaries and borders, both real
and imagined-inside of the places that matter in the world, like
Washington, D.C.,and the whole planet-and the places that might
even matter more, like inside of our bodies:'
In this issue we meet women who are doing. Whether that's the
remarkable Margaret Cho at the mic calling out cultural injustice,
or activist-businesswoman Nenna Joiner, or former U.S. Marine
Danielle King, who now advocates for the disabled. We also follow
Lucas Silveira on his corporeal and emotional journey to selfhood,
we learn of Amy Ziff's "big" love embrace, and we offer empowering
information on plus-size fitness, fashion from women of color, and
physically stimulating travel and trips.
Be mindful of how you treat your body this year. You're going to
need it. We're going to need it.
MERRYNJOHNS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
merryn@curvemag.com
't# @Merryn1
GET
OUT
AND
PROPEL
has a world
of scenic
exciting
destinations
YOURSELF
SPIRITUAL
positions
actually
WITH
be doing
will have you almost
yoga
experience
with a yoga instructor
and landing
gorgeous
backdrop
ZOOM
VEGAS
YOU
NEVER
you travel
Savasana
session,
THE
surrounded
the desert
landscape
from
Canyon
runs, you'll
last around
line adventures,
try to VooDoo
KNEW
EXISTED.
three
exercise?
Red Rock Canyon National
nearly two dozen distinct
colorful
geologic
facilities
AND
are also available
CANYON.
Why walk on a treadmill
hiking
Conservation
Area. You can explore
its own unique
and
Enjoy the plants and wildlife,
and
while you're there. Camping
for Red Rock Canyon visitors.
AND ENJOY
is on the way and that
swimming,
on one
Boulder
City.
1.5 miles
as
For more
zip
sunbathing
invigorating
day
Take a daytime
level,
AN UNFORGETTABLE
AT LAKE MEAD
at Lake
cruise
Mississippi-style
Guard certified,
soaking
and other
Mead
means
relaxing
National
on the water
paddle
incredible
boating,
ways to spend
Recreation
on an authentic,
wheeler
that
at the
variety
iconic
anywhere
or just kick back and enjoy the scenery
of plants
and animals,
some of which
you won't
else in the world.
Las Vegas.
to start
planning
threewhile
up some sun. Lake Mead is also home to surprising
towers
LasVegas.com
an
Area.
is U.S. Coast
NOMATTER
HOWYOUSPENDYOURTIMEIN VEGAS,
THERE'S
FINALLY
A GETAWAY
THATGETSYOU
Visit
when
trails at picturesque
trails, each with
formations.
MAKE
RED ROCK
see if you can spot a desert tortoise
and soar above
of downtown
BOOTS
you can go on any of the amazing
Summer
the Red Mountains.
zip line across
HIKING
for a little
most
activities.
BEAUTIFUL
DAY IN PARADISE
LINE
than
hours.
Looking
FOR
to one of the world's
outdoor
by the
NEVER
high above
more
Hotel, or take on Slotzilla
in the heart
will
TRACKS
visit
these
GO CRUISING
in scenic
cover
up to 60 mph down
will
Street
fly
formations.
ZIP
at speeds
You'll
yoga instructor
LIKE
The experience
Rio All-Suite
wildness.
DESERT
the four
to hold
new Heli-Yoga
peaks, only accessible
Silent
by enJoying
PUT ON YOUR
on air. This first-of-
an uplifting
zip lines at Bootleg
Between
floating
pairs the desert
ON AN EXHILARATING
Soar through
just for you. Make your
YOGA.
and trying
Helicopters'
of red sandstone
THROUGH
BEFORE
waiting
to Valley of Fire State Park, descending
A certified
you through
Fremont
LAS
even more special
HELICOPTER
on one of the area's highest
by helicopter.
beauty
exercises
in the skies, but Maverick
experience
of four
OF
INTO THE ULTIMATE
EXPERIENCE
No, you won't
guide
A SIDE
GOBEYOND
THENEONANDEXPLORE
Las Vegas
its-kind
SEE
your
Vegas getaway.
find
RONT /
cu RVETTES
ANDREA BRAMHALL
Andrea wrote her first novel at the age of six and threequarters. It was seven pages long and held together
with a pink ribbon. Her gran still has it in the attic.
Since then she has a number of published works and a
Lambda Literary Award. Andrea can be found hunched
over her laptop writing the stories that won't let her
sleep. She can also be found reading, walking the dogs
up mountains while taking a few thousand photos,
scuba diving while taking a few thousand photos,
swimming, kayaking, playing the saxophone, or cycling.
(andreabramhall.wordpress.com)
curve
THE BEST-SELLING
APR/MAY
PUBLISHER
2017 » VOLUME
Jessica Halem, MBA is the LGBT Program Director
for Harvard Medical School. After graduating from
Sarah Lawrence College, she worked with former
Congresswoman Bella Abzug to organize women leaders
from around the world for the UN Conference on Women
in Beijing. Jessica led the Lesbian Community Cancer
Project in Chicago, served on the board of GLMA: Health
Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality and became a
sought after leader on transgender inclusion, lesbian
visibility, and program design and implementation.
(jessicahalem.com)
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EDITORIAL
Merryn Johns
Katherine Wright
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Marcie Bianco, Victoria A.
Brownworth, Lyndsey D'Arcangelo, Anita Dolce Vita,
Sheryl Kay, Gillian Kendall, Dave Steinfeld,
Jocelyn Voo
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Annalese Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SENIOR COPY EDITOR
PROOFING
ii:
i('J
27 NUMBER
Silke Bader
Frances Stevens
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
>-
MAGAZINE
FOUNDING PUBLISHER
OPERATIONS
JESSICAHALEM
LESBIAN
PROOFREADER
Jeannie Sotheran
Marcie Bianco
ADVERTISING
Rivendell Media
todd@curvemagazine.com
NATIONAL SALES
EMAIL
(908)
232-2021
ART/PRODUCTION
ART DIRECTOR
Bruno Cesar Guimaraes
SOCIAL MEDIA
MANAGER Annalese Davis
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Melany Joy Beck, Victoria Bond, Kelsy Chauvin, Jane
Czyzselska, Mallorie DeRiggi, Dar Dowling, Kristin
Flickinger, Jessica Halem, Sarah Hasu, Kim Hoffman,
Alanna J. Higginson, Francesca Lewis, Charlene
Lichtenstein, Sassafras Lowrey, Kelly McCartney, Myles
Mellor, Bella Qvist, Laurie K. Schenden, Janelle Sorenson,
Yana Tallon-Hicks, Lisa Tedesco, Sarah Toce
CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
Steph Brusig, Erica Camille, Grace Chu, Meagan Cignoli,
Sara Lautman, Syd London, Maggie Parker, Diana Price, B.
Proud, Robin Roemer, Leslie Van Stelten
CHLOE TSE
Chloe is a 'Gaysian' freelance journalist, media critic and
co-founder of TheFeminismProject.com. Between writing
for a variety of Canadian publications, from The Toronto
Star to Xtra to S Style and more-she's served as an
executive member of advocacy boards and marches as a
social justice warrior (she led the first PinkDotTO march
raising visibility for queer Asians). This beagle mom was
a queer women of color panelist at ClexaCon, the LGBTQ
women's media and entertainment convention where she
spoke on diversity in the media. Twitter @kchloetse
Q
BRETON TYNER-BRYAN
0
Breton is a dancer, choreographer, director, photographer,
and teacher. She is the creator of Breton Follies, a cabaret
production featured in Dance Magazine, and has worked
in TV, film, theater, on Broadway and with many ballet and
dance theater companies in the US and internationally.
She choreographed the ballet section for the viral Hillary
Flash Mob campaigns in NYC/North Carolina and has
directed and choreographed immersive installations for
The Foundry LIC, New York Fashion Week, and performed
alongside the Martha Graham Dance Company. lnstagram
@bretontynerbryan
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6
CURVE
APR/MAY
2017
CONTACT INFO
Curve Magazine
PO Box 467
New York, NY 10034
PHONE (415) 871-0569
(800) 705-0070 (toll-freein usonly)
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR EMAIL letters@curvemagazine.com
SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES
ADVERTISING EMAIL
Volume 27 Issue 2 Curve (ISSN 1087-867X) is published 6 times
per year (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August,
September/October, November/December) by Avalon Media, LLC,
PO Box 467, New York NY 10034. Subscription price: $35/year, $45
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postage paid at San Francisco, CA 94114 and at additional mailing
offices (USPS 0010-355). Contents of Curve Magazine may not
be reproduced in any manner, either whole or in part, without
written permission from the publisher. Publication of the name or
photograph of any persons or organizations appearing, advertising
or listing in Curve may not be taken as an indication of the sexual
orientation of that individual or group unless specifically stated.
Curve welcomes letters, queries, unsolicited manuscripts and
artwork. Include SASE for response. Lack of any representation
only signifies insufficient materials. Submissions cannot be
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Inquiries: Pleasewrite to Curve, Avalon Media LLC., PO Box 467 New
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Printed in the U.S.
curvemag.com
RONT /
FEEDBACK
and Janet McTeer in Curve.
They may not be queer but
they are strong role models and
breaking gender barriers in their
profession. Keep up the good
work!
anger and grief about the
results of the presidential
election. I am feeling
hopeful and I see this as
an opportunity for renewal
if not revolution. Look at
what Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is
already doing with her voting
record. We all need to take
a leaf out of her book. Stop
complaining, start doing.
- Alicia Y. via email
-Annabelle Evans, Sydney,
Australia
MARVELOUSMIRREN
Your Cover featuring Helen
Mirren lifted my spirits ["Helen
of Joy,"V.27#1]!What a pleasure
to finally see an older successful
woman gracing the cover of
Curve. We could use more
of it and thank you for that-I
have been a fan of hers for two
decades and her role in Prime
Suspect was important to me
when I was coming out as a
lesbian and had very few good
TV shows to watch at that time.
I'd also love to see more of her
contemporaries, especially the
great British actresses such
as Harriet Walter, Fiona Shaw,
HAPPYABOUT HERSTORY
I really liked your History Issue
[V.27#1]. I thoroughly enjoyed
the mix of older and younger
women, all doing different
things and with different
talents and perspectives. I
especially enjoyed reading
about Nicole Pacent's spiritual
beliefs, which are very similar
to mine. My god does not
have a problem with the fact
that I am gay.
CORRECTION
Finding Ms. Right
Due to a typographical
error in the article "The
Dating Decode," V.27#2
a website was incorrect.
The correct website is:
TheDati ngDecode.com
-Emma Pollitt via email
POLITICALPOSITIVITY
I understand where Victoria
Brownworth is coming from in
her Politics column ["History
Deferred," V.27#1],but I don't
think it's productive to be
constantly veering between
WHICH
SITUATION
BEST
DESCRIBES
YOUR
LOVE
LIFE?
45%
l'M MARRIED AND HAPPY AT HOME WITH MY WIFE AND CAT.
11%l'M STILL GETTING OVER MY EX!
28%
FINDING MS. RIGHT IS HARD BUT l'M NOT GIVING UP.
16%
l'M SINGLE AND ON THE PROWL, WATCH OUT LADIES!
Send to:
WRITE
Curve magazine, PO Box 467, New York, NY 10034
US
I Email: letters@curvemagazine.com
8
CURVE
FEB/MAR
2017
Subscriber Services are now available at
curvemag.com/magazine
subscribe
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1GIRL GAYDAR
(
CELESBIANGOSSIP
SHE SAID WHAT?
12
GREAT
TIPS FROM A
BALTIMORE
LESBIANSEX
EXPERT
NEWS
GOSSIP
PROFILE
»
APR/MAY
2017
CURVE
9
TRENDS/
THE GAYDAR
Kate Kane, a.k.a. lesbian
superhero Batwoman, is back as
part of DC Comics' Rebirth
The lesbian-feminists who
created The Future Is Female
slogan in the 1970s, we salute
you'
Young M.A. rakes in
the big bucks as the
first commercially
successful lesbian
rapper
Queen Latifah says playing
a lesbian in Set It Off was
"hard" ... but playing straight
in Girls Trip is easy?
Amanda Knox
makes it very
clear that she
was not OK
with being hit
on by a drugdealing lesbian
in prison
UK reality TV
stars Chantelle
Connelly
and Jemma
Lucy admit
they made up
their lesbian
romance for
the cash
Lily Tomlin
deservedly
wins the
Screen Actors
Guild Lifetime
Achievement
Award
Eva Green
and Gemma
Arterton, both
straight, will
star as literary
lovers Virginia
Woolf and Vita
Sackville-West
in a UK film
Roxane Gay pulls her
book contract from
publishing house Simon
& Schuster in protest of
their deal with alt-right
troll Milo Yiannopoulis
Trans YouTuber Gigi Gorgeous
and lesbian oil heiress Nats Getty
are a hot item'
10
CURVE
APR/MAY
2017
The packaging for
Pocky Japanese snacks
plays gay when you buy
two and place them
together
Kristen Stewart tells Donald Trump that
she is "so gay" on Saturday Night Live,
and she has more movies coming out
than we can count
TRENDS/
KIELY HOSMON
>>San Francisco, CA
HelpingOur Kids
NEWS
THE
WOMEN'S
MARCH
ON
WASHINGTON
HAS
INSPIRED
AN
LGBT
MARCH
ON
D.C.
DURING
PRIDE
Drawing InspIratIon from the massive and historic success of the
Kids and Kiely Hosmon connect. She's been working
with youth for 17years to make community-wide social
change happen. Her talent for leadership began when she
was a youth, starting the first GSA at her high school in
San Jose, in 2001. It wasn't easy, but it was fulfilling.
"I battled homophobia with a volleyball coach, dealt
with my ignorant peers defacing and ripping down signs
advertising the GSA;' she recalls, "and yet found a great
little crew of other baby queers via the GSA:'
After interning with the Gay Straight Alliance Network,
Hosmon was hired full-time and for several years staffed
and managed numerous projects, including a youth
council, activist camps, leadership trainings, Pride celebrations, and a 400-plus Youth Empowerment Summit.
Women's March on Washington, a gay actIvIst In New York has announced plans for the National Pride March to send a clear message
to those In power that LGBT rights are not to be threatened David
Bru1nooge, who created the National Pride March Facebook page, told
the Washington Blade that he spec1f1cally chose Pride weekend for the
event because of the number of LGBT people who would already be
congregating
near the US capital for Pride "I was watching the events
unfold on TV and I was very proud and 1nsp1redby all the women,
the strong women In our country who were kind of taking this to the
street and getting their voices heard. And In the back of my mind as an
openly gay man I thought the gay community should be doing something like this to follow up on the momentum," he said The national
LGBT March on Washington is planned for Sunday June 11,2017 at 10
am, co1nc1d1ngwith Washington's annual Capital Pride
Today, she's the coordinator of Youth Development and
Administration for the San Francisco Youth Commission,
working with 17young people who advise the Board of
Supervisors and the mayor on policies and laws that impact the city's youth. "Working with youth isn't all unicorns
and peanut butter cups, but it is super fun, challenging,
and rewarding to work with them as they are trying to
create positive social change for themselves and for their
communities;' Hosmon says.
With Trump as president, she says the future is
tenuous. "We are so fucked. And it's not just the queersanyone with any sort of marginalized identity is just
fucked:' Trump's victory is an example of how white men
and white women are afraid to let go of the privileges
that whiteness affords them. "We need white folks to get
uncomfortable, step up, and take a role in dismantling the
white supremacist and misogynistic culture and mindset
that helped make this happen;' she says.
Some in the LGBTcommunity feel that there are protections in place-we are still serving in the military and
still getting married-but
Hosmon says the community
desperately needs to look beyond those issues to challenges that also affect the wider community: The killing of
trans women, especially trans women of color, inevitably
introduces issues such as racism, police brutality, immigrant rights, homelessness, and more.
• PARALYMPIAN
AND
INCLUSIVITY
expert Claire Harvey was named
chief executive of the UK charity
Diversity Role Models on Feb. 3,
which brings LGBT role models
to British schools to share their
inspiring stories and reaching
over 49,000 students. "An
inclusive culture where young
people can be themselves is
good for their mental health and
wellbeing, and therefore society
as a whole;' said Harvey.
• THE
THAI
GOVERNMENT
IS
considering what could be
the world's first prison facility
for LGBTQ inmates. While the
plans are still being discussed
in Pattaya and prisons across
Thailand, LGBTQ prisoners are
kept apart to prevent violence,
rape, sexual assault, and the
spread of diseases among
inmates.
• ANEW
LESBIAN
BAR
HAS
opened in Fort Lauderdale.
Wilton Manors has gone without
a lesbian bar since New Moon
closed in 2014. G Spot Bar
co-owner Lisette Gomez is
bringing back a bar dedicated
to women meeting women, but
which Is 1nclus1veof gay men
and straight allies. There will
be Sunday football, drag king
shows, and other activities.
• INDIANA:S
ATTORNEY
GENERAL
has appealed a federal judge's
order that the state list both
spouses in lesbian marriages
as parents on their children's
birth certificates. The appeal
will challenge US District Judge
Tanya Walton Pratt's June 2016
ruling in favor of eight lesbian
couples who sued the state and
county health departments.
• CHINA'S
GAYS
AND
LESBIANS
are marrying each other using
an app called iHomo, according
to GayStarNews.com, as a way
of avoiding societal pressure
on them to have heterosexual
weddings.
"LGBT folks and organizations need to understand that
LGBTQissues don't just happen in a silo," Hosmon says.
- By Sheryl Kay
APR/MAY
2017
CURVE
11
TRENDS/
PROFILE
WOMEN
WELOVE»
Jacq
Jones
The sex-positive, lesbian and feminist
educator helps women explore and
celebrate their sexualities.
BY MELANIE BARKER
ON
WHERE
SHE
CALLS
HOME:
Baltimore is full of incredible, kind,
passionate people, many of whom are
working tirelessly to build a more equitable
city. We've got urban farms, arts districts,
and it's actually affordable to live here. It's
called Charm City for a reason!
ON
HER
PROFESSION:
I'm a sex educator and the owner of
Sugar, a sex-positive sex toy store in
Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood.
My job combines some of my favorite
things: teaching people about sex from a
sex-positive shame-free perspective and
running a feminist business. I love, love,
love helping people explore and celebrate
their sexualities. It's what I was born to do!
ON
HOW
SHE
GOT
STARTED:
I've been an activist for reproductive
health care, abortion rights, and LGBT
rights since college. After college, I moved
into working in reproductive health care
clinics. I started as an administrative
assistant and worked my way up. After I
left clinical work, I had the opportunity to
work at Babeland, a sex-positive sex toy
store in New York City. It was a revelation.
I got to spend all day talking about sex
from a pleasure-based perspective and
was able to help folks work to build sex
lives that were safer for their bodies. Years
after I left Babeland and moved back to
Baltimore, I opened Sugar. Since then, I've
been blessed to continue this work with
our amazing, brave customers and my
incredibly talented and kind co-workers.
ON
HOW
SHE
IDENTIFIES:
I'm a lesbian, active in our local LGBTQIA
communities. Currently, I'm part of a
group that's working to establish an LGBT
chamber of commerce for the state of
Maryland. I'm married and monogamous.
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Choosing
ON
HOW
WORK
AFFECTS
HER
RELATIONSHIP:
Honestly, the biggest impact on our
relationship was the transition from having
a 9-to-5 job to owning a business. Owning
a business is awesome and stressful, and
you're never not at work. On vacation,
I'm checking my email. I've run out of the
house in the middle of the night to check
on an alarm at the store. We've dashed off
from dinner with friends when a co-worker
called in sick. We've adapted, and almost
10 years later it feels normal and natural.
But it put a ton of stress on our relationship
at first. But, when the recession was
threatening the survival of the business,
my wife was there for me in amazing ways.
And still is.
what you want your relationship
to look like gives you the greatest
likelihood of finding relationship joy. One
of the gifts of being a lesbian is that we
tend to not be as tied to one definition of
what sex looks like. We're used to being
creative with our sexual expression.
Adding sex toys to the equation only
expands your creative options. And lube,
of course. If you have a vagina, you should
also have lube.
ON
THE
CHALLENGES
OF
LESBIAN
SEX:
There's a false idea that because most
lesbians (not all) have the same genital
structures, we necessarily know how
to please one another sexually. That
couldn't be further from the truth.
ON
THE
ADVANTAGES
OF
LESBIAN
SEXUALITY:What works great with one clitoris will
get you nowhere with another. Just
As lesbians, we're already transgressing
as in any gender combination, the
the dominant hetero paradigm. Because
key is listening and communication.
we're outside of the norm, we don't have
(sugartheshop.com)
to fit into traditional relationship structures.
TRENDstGOSSIP
LESBOFILE
OUR FAVE CELEBS MOUTH OFF OR MAKE A STATEMENT.
BY JOCELYN VOO
• KRISTEN KILLS IT
In retrospect, 2012 seems like an alternate universe: Kristen Stewart was straight, and
Donald Trump was merely a blustering reality TV presence. When Stewart was found to
be cheating on then-boyfriend Robert Pattinson, Trump, never too busy to offer up his
unsolicited opinion, took to Twitter to express his distaste, advising Pattinson to not take
her back: "He can do much better!" Fast forward to 2017, with K-Stew linked to lady after
lady, and Trump a blustering, inescapable presence. Five years later, and Stewart has the
last laugh: Kicking off her monologue on a February episode of Saturday Night Live, she
intoned, "The president is not a huge fan of me, which is so OK, because Donald, if you
didn't like me then, you're really probably not going to like me now, because I'm hosting SNL
and I'm, like, so gay, dude." Tremendous.
• POLYGAMISTS WITH PRIDE
It would seem that a reality TV show following a polygamist family might not have much
controversy left to uncover, but in January, TLC's Sister Wives went there. Mormon
polygamist patriarch Kody, his four wives and 18 kids are deeply religious, and homosexuality
is not accepted in their strict faith. When Mariah Brown, one of the children, revealed to
her five parents that she was gay, though, she was met with open arms. "We're just happy
she's figured out who she is," Janelle, her mother through polygamy, told People magazine.
"It's tremendous when you see a kid do that." Kody added, "My job as a dad is to love and
respect and not to judge." Amen to that.
• BRANDI'S BIG MOUTH
It doesn't take much for a Real Housewife to spill tea, and Bravo TV host Andy Cohen
knows it. Seemingly out of nowhere on Cohen's Watch What Happens Live, Beverly Hills
housewife Brandi Glanville reveals that she got involved with restauranteur and Iron Chef
star Cat Cora while Cora was one of the judges of her cooking show My Kitchen Rules.
"We had a fling once, then we stopped. She's hot; she's talented; why not?" Glanville said.
As much as we like her reasoning here, when Cohen pressed about whether she thought
there was a viable future, Glanville, who described her sexuality as "fluid," replied, "I did
actually think that, because [Cora] is so cool and talented and wonderful, and then I saw a
hot guy walk by and went, 'Oh, wait.'" Spoken like a true housewife.
• RUBY HAS NO REGRETS
Stars ... they're just like us? In an interview for Net-A-Porter's The Edit magazine, goddess
incarnate-slash-actor Ruby Rose confesses that as a young girl, she felt like she was
born into the wrong body and was bullied for being tomboyish. However, though she at
the time wished she was a boy, now she's happy she didn't opt for gender reassignment
surgery. "I'm a woman," she says. "I want to have babies one day, so I'm glad I didn't make
changes earlier in my life." As to whether Rose plans to one day settle down for good,
she muses, "I don't know. Can you imagine?" she says. "Ruby Rose in a white floor-length
gown and her Hells Angels tattoos?" A girl can only dream.
APR/MAY
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13
TRENDS/SHE
SAID
"There was
actually someone
recently where I was
"I'm so
in love with her.
She's proof that the love
like, 'Wow, she's really hot':
Elizabeth Banks...lf I'm going
of your life does not have to
that way, I'm more of a lipstick
be a man! That's the love of my
life right there."
lesbian."
Milla Jovovich to The
Michelle Williams about best
friend Busy Philipps to
Advocate
People magazine.
"She is in a weird
position where she is
the spokesperson for Donald
Trump. That's a hard job. That's
like being a puppet without a hand .
... He's a very hard person to be a
spokesperson for."
Rachel Maddow about Kellyanne
Conway. on Watch What
Happens Live
"I understand what
it is to really appreciate
a woman's body, my own and
another's."
KaDee Strickland on her love
scene with Emmanuelle
Chriqui to Amazon's Style
Code Live
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18 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SEX TOYS
20LESSONSIN STRENGTH AND SIZE
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Pulling Our Bodies on the Line
Why generations of women must invest in the physical act of protest.
BY VICTORIA
A. BROWNWORTH
As I write this, there is a protest going
on in my city. Not as huge as the Women's
March in January, but quite large for a rainy
Thursday night in midwinter. The protest
is LGBTQpeople against President Trump
and the congressional Republicans who
are at a retreat here in Philadelphia, in
what was America's first capital, where
the Constitution was written and where
protest against tyranny was born.
I was not at the protest because I am
in a hospital bed managing a debilitating
health condition. I probably will not
be able to physically participate in a
protest again, which has made me think
about whether and when, in this era of
keyboard activism, it's required that we
put our bodies on the line.
My parents were civil rights workers,
so I have engaged in protests since I
was a small child. In 1969, our church
sent busloads of kids to the Moratorium
Against the Vietnam War-at the time, the
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largest march on Washington in American
history (exceeding Martin Luther King Jr.'s
1963 march for equality).
I remember it was cold and damp, and
although I was in a strange city with a
bunch of other kids from our church, our
priest, and a couple of random adults
who were not my parents, I never felt
unsafe. We were mostly strangers, but
among the 600,000 of us there was a
connection. We chanted, we sang, we
shivered, we made a statement; then we
headed back to Philadelphia and the war
continued for five more years.
In college, I marched for the Equal
Rights Amendment on a blazingly sunny
July day. We all wore white, I got horribly
sunburned, and despite the incredible
momentum and energy that day, women
never got the ERA.
I would march on Washington again in
the March for Women's Lives and several
times for LGBT rights. For years, the Gay
Pride parades in Philadelphia, New York,
and San Francisco I attended were part
protest, part party, part bodies showing
up so no one could say we didn't exist.
Other protests I engaged in involved
civil disobedience, which often ended
in arrests and sometimes violence. I
participated in massive rallies over the
years of the AIDS crisis, often lying in
the street in die-ins in Boston, New York,
Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
In the 1980s, while living part of the
time in London, I protested regularly
outside South Africa House in Trafalgar
Square for the release of Nelson Mandela.
In 1988, I marched against a repressive
English law, Section 28, which prohibited
local
authorities
from
"promoting
homosexuality" or what was referred to as
gay "pretended family relationships," and
prevented local councils from spending
money on educational materials and
projects perceived to promote a gay
VIEWS/
"lifestyle." Marches and rallies were
menaced by skinheads, and the chance
of getting a bottle to the head was high.
Lesbians especially were targets of hate
and some were injured.
I always felt safe at the big marches
on Washington, D.C. because the police
seemed to be at a distance, the marches
were well-planned events, and there was
a wave of protective solidarity among
the marchers. The Women's Marches of
2017, for example, were 3 million or more
people strong, yet there wasn't a single
arrest.
But in protests where there was more
tension between police and protesters,
like the many AIDS and LGBT rights
protests I engaged in with ACT UP and
Queer Nation, danger always lurked and
with it a measure of fear. Being lifted out
of a civil disobedience stance by gloved
police demonstrates a commitment to
one's cause. It's scary and often painful,
and you can feel how much the police
despise you.
In recent years, the Occupy Wall Street
movement, the Dakota Access Pipeline
protests and especially the Black Lives
Matter movement have focused national
attention on just how much women
are putting their bodies on the line for
their politics and how dangerous that
can be. Tear gas, pepper spray, water
cannons, and rubber bullets have been
used regularly against these protestors,
as police have become increasingly
militarized.
People rarely die in protests in
America, but the likelihood of injury is
real. The possibility of death is there. In
the Stonewall rebellion in 1969, where
butch lesbian activist Storme Delaverie
threw the punch that started it all on that
hot June night outside the Stonewall Inn,
bodies were on the line and blood flowed.
In November 2016, during the protests
against the Dakota Access Pipeline,
a protestor from New York, Sophia
Wilansky, was injured in a clash with
police. According to Wilansky's family,
her arm was nearly severed by a police
concussion grenade.
Women have put their physical
bodies on the line for justice throughout
American history. Whether it was young
black women being yanked off stools
at all-white lunch counters or women
marching to take back the night in
Tenderloin districts across the country
or lesbians battling in the streets at
Stonewall, our bodies have been at risk.
Harriet Tubman brought hundreds of
slaves from the South to the North over
the Underground Railroad. Suffragists
like Alice Paul, who wrote the Equal
Rights Amendment, were tortured and
force-fed after going on hunger strikes
while they were under arrest. Rosa Parks
risked her life when she refused to move
to the back of the bus. Hillary Clinton
was repeatedly threatened with physical
violence and assassination in addition to
those chants of "Trump that bitch" and
"lock her up," which carried their own
violent message.
In her book Woman Hating, Andrea
Dworkin writes, "Feminism requires
precisely what misogyny destroys in
women:
unimpeachable
bravery in
confronting male power."
We are taught in patriarchal culture
that our female bodies are weak and
susceptible and that rape is always
hovering nearby, waiting to take one in
five of us, and so it's safer and better if
we stay home.
But equally true is that we, as women,
are indeed brave and have evinced
extraordinary
courage
throughout
history. Our bodies have been our
battleground as we fought for bodily
autonomy for hundreds of years. But
our bodies are also our arsenal against
injustice. We saw that at the Women's
March-that sea of pink pussy hats with
not a red "Make America Great Again"
cap to be seen.
As I watched on CNN, the Women's
March spread across the country and
I ached to be part of that history, that
physical evocation of a movement.
Something happens when you put
your body on the line: Being there, off
social media and in the actual streets, is
powerful. The outrage Trump expressed
over the sheer numbers underscored
how much our physical presence meant.
At the Muslim ban protest
in
Philadelphia, the airport was virtually
stopped. Traffic on the interstate to and
from the airport was at a standstill. Inside
the arrivals terminal there was no room to
POLITI
move. Occupying space, standing your
ground is its own statement. Once we are
physically protesting, we have effectively
displaced what was there before.
We also cannot be ignored. We are no
longer invisible.
And therein lies the power of our
bodies. The very word "resistance"
conjures the physical action of pushing
back against whatever is being forced on
us against our wills.
At the Women's March, Angela Davis,
one of America's true revolutionaries
who had urged people to vote for Hillary
Clinton, said, "The next 1,459 days of the
Trump administration will be 1,459 days
of resistance: resistance on the ground,
resistance in the classrooms, resistance
on the job, resistance in our art and in our
music."
Pushing back. Supplanting the body
of racism and misogyny, homophobia
and xenophobia with our own bodies,
our own stand for resistance. Davis said,
"I am no longer accepting the things I
cannot change. I am changing the things
I cannot accept." We cannot accept
women being forced into back-alley
abortions or into conversion therapy.
We cannot accept a president who is
an admitted sexual predator. We cannot
accept being displaced in our own
country.
Hillary Clinton said, "I believe that
the rights of women and girls is the
unfinished business of the 21st century."
Women and girls are under threat from
this new administration like never before
in our collective history. A pledge to
resistance is a pledge to taking up
physical space-something women have
been taught they shouldn't do. But as
that sea of pink pussy hats showed us on
January 21, millions of women can take
up a lot of space.
We have to ask ourselves how we carry
that momentum forward. Had women
marched to the polls for Hillary Clinton
the way they did post-election against
Trump, fascism wouldn't be shadowing
our doorstep.
As the next four years loom ahead
of us, we have already learned that our
physical presence unnerves our enemies.
That is our weapon: our bodies in the
streets and next time also at the polls.•
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17
Sex in the Time oJTrump
For a business owner activist, the erotic is personal and political.
BY MELANIE BARKER
I
dentity and intersectionality are
not ideas of interest to our new
president-who has demonstrated
that he and his cabinet are tone
deaf to issues concerning 'minorities'-so
now more than ever it's up to us to turn
to our communities and build allegiances
and kinship, so that we protect our values
and well-being, even as our leaders move
to rescind our rights.
On this score, the elegant and articulate
Nenna Joiner, founder of Feelmore 501
Adult Gallery in Oakland, Calif. is already
ahead of the game, having opened
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2017
Feelmore 501 six years ago as both a retail
store and a community hub.
"One of the things that we're here to do
is to provide queer culture with a queer
landmark,
because
Oakland-unlike
San Francisco-doesn't
have an LGBTcentered community," says Joiner, who
identifies as lesbian in her personal life, but
has adopted the "queer nomenclature"
for community outreach. "So we're
working with the community to put up
rainbow flags on our block, so we can
send a queer sex-positive message but
also a true, basic-level diversity message
that is a global symbol for acceptance."
Oakland is not without its problems.
Joiner has had women take refuge from
the street in the store late at night to feel
more secure or to escape harassment;
there has been an LGTB bashing and a
trans murder, and vulnerable trans sex
workers have a nearby beat. She hopes
that her store is a beacon of tolerance and
a safe space, or a different diversion to a
bar or nightclub. "As a business owner
who is here 24/7 and always in the store I
want to send the message that [violence]
is not acceptable," she says. "We want to
VIEWS/
let people know what this community is
about."
Sex toys, much like books, are
easily purchased online; but in this
era of right-wing puritannical and antiintellectual resurgence, brick-and-mortar
establishments for both products are
increasingly becoming oases in their
communities. Joiner is raising the profile
of the store by using bi 11boards to promote
her mission and to communicate an
alternative to the establishment's "might
is right" philosophy.
She came up with the slogan Our
Bullets Don't Hurt after the shooting
of Oscar Grant, a black man who was
restrained by a transit authority police
officer in the early hours of New Year's
Day 2009, and then shot dead in the back
as he lay facedown on the ground. Joiner
describes being in downtown Oakland
these days as being "in the crosshairs of
all the protests" and living with an almost
constant military presence. She recalls
one day in which there were "about 20
police officers marching down the street
in unison with their riot gear on, going
toward a crowd. They were in such unison
you thought you were in a war scene." As
the holidays approached, Christmas and
Valentine's Day, Joiner wondered what
she could offer her customers. Our Bullets
Don't Hurt was the phrase that occurred
to her, referring, of course, to the portable
"bullet" vibes she sells.
"I put [the slogan] up on a small billboard
in our window and people took photos,
they posted online, then there were 500
people on a thread ...Some people said it
was insensitive, but it's always going to
be insensitive because someone is always
getting killed by a bullet. You're not just
talking about police violence, you're
talking about gun violence."
Our president and his team may want
more militaristic displays and prefer force
over openness but Joiner is thankful to
Trump for one thing: how certain aspects
of kink-namely, "water sports"-are now
being talked about openly. "How often do
we get to talk about golden showers, as
they relate to a president?" she asks. "For
me, being on the kink end of it, I'm happy
about it. This has been one of the most, in
my memory, salacious campaigns ever. If
it's not true, that's cool, and if it is truedon't yuck my yum," Joiner says, arguing
that such a penchant could be one of the
more interesting things about Trump-if
it were true. "Someone has this fetish-I
mean, man, if you love it, I like it. I like you
to be at your fullest, and in the sex world
I'm wanting people to fulfill their own
obligations to empower themselves."
For Joiner, there absolutely is a
connection
between
politics
and
sexual empowerment. She is politically
active, and was part of the California
Delegation at the 2016 DNC. "I ran and
won my seat as a democratic delegate in
Congressional District 13 (Barbara Lee's
District) and attended the Democratic
Convention in Philadelphia as apart of
the California Delegation," she explains.
"I also advocated to be a part of the
national DNC LGBTAdvisory Board, which
I joined shortly after the convention."
She's particularly keen to see Oakland
retain its diversity, and not see it erased
by the economic gentrification created
by the tech boom. "People are crying
out for spaces that look like them and
ownership that looks like them; but it's still
a business. At the end of the day business
is transactional not emotional, and many
of us don't own [our spaces]."
It's important that we support those
spaces that we do own-and the first
space you own is your body, and
increasingly, says Joiner, that body
might be commodified. Under a Trump
administration, she anticipates a rise
in escorting and prostitution "because
wages are not going up enough to
support people who live in areas like New
York or California. Many friends I know
are going toward sex work. Who wants to
work for $15 an hour or $40,000 a year
when you can earn that much in a month
as a dominatrix?" It's a good question. And
what queer woman wouldn't want to take
a riding crop to a one-percenter at a time
like this? Call it a grassroots redistribution
of wealth, if you will.
Joiner's main mission is to educate all
of us about sexuality, including aspects
that are maligned or misunderstood.
"We talk about it clinically, but we're not
clinicians. I think there's a disconnect
from cultural competency that goes
ISS
around speaking about ethnicity when
it relates to sex, but ignores speaking
about the historical references of bodies
within certain communities. For example,
if you're talking about douching or
enema play-the larger community says,
Oh that's a bad thing. But as an AfricanAmerican woman I grew up with that in
my household as a form of health care."
Sex toys might seem recreational but
they are also a form of education and
identity affirmation, and Joiner believes
selling them should be inclusive and fun.
"Why am I buying this particular loud
vibrator if I'm in a roommate situation, or
if I don't have that budget? I talk about
sex toys from the perspective of where
the person buying them is. It's like a oneon-one class. People are coming to sex
stores for validation, but they have all the
answers themselves. They are enoughthey're powerful enough. It's up to them
to take this product home and do with
it what they will. And so that's what I do.
My space is one of the few spaces where
people get to be themselves. You get to
be short, you get to be tall, you get to be
fat-positive, you get to be gay, straight,
the black guy who likes kink ...You get to
be all these things and be accepted. We
have an open door policy." And these
days, that's more than can be said for the
country at large. (feelmore510.com) •
APR/MAY
2016
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19
Strong
Women
It's not about weight,
it's about strength!
BY JESSICA HALEM
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2017
S
ince 2001, I have been an
LGBT health advocate. I
learned the most about
this type of advocacy from
my five years as the executive director
of the Lesbian Community Cancer
Project in Chicago. It was there that
I met lesbians like Peggy, who died
of ovarian cancer. She was without
her partner at the end because her
homophobic parents flew in and
seized control of her care. And then
there was Shannon, who died of breast
cancer. She was an artist, didn't have
health insurance, and had never had a
mammogram-until it was too late. My
dear friend Lisa died of lung cancer.
She ignored the signs for months
because she was busy organizing our
support groups, taking care of her
partner and everyone but herself.
Lesbian health is about all of this-
homophobia, access to health insurance,
and the challenge of putting ourselves first
in a busy, stressful world. But to hear most
doctors talk, you would think tackling our
BMI (Body Mass Index) would magically
solve all these problems. Obesity is often
the first thing out of their mouths when it
comes to lesbian health-but it shouldn't
be. What we really should be talking about
is strength.
How are we building strength in our
bodies, our muscles, our bones? How are
we building strong hearts, relationships,
and communities? In what ways are we
already strong, and where do we need to
get stronger?
Me? I'm 44 years old and keep suffering
from lower back pain. As soon as my
doctor described how core strength
would support my back, it all made sense.
Suddenly, it wasn't a conversation about
weight but about strength. Many of us
VIEWS!HEA
avoid going to the doctor because we don't
want to talk about our weight-especially
with a straight doctor. Prioritizing a strong
back and core was exactly what I needed
to motivate my feminist lesbian soul.
I propose centering lesbian healthour health-on strength and resilience.
Lesbians building muscles. Lesbians with
strong hearts. Lesbians whose backs can
bear the weight of it all. Resilience is the
ability to bounce back or quickly adjust to
change. As lesbians, we should see this as
a crucial and powerful goal. Resilience is
built on strength.
I now work at Harvard Medical School,
where I get to influence the next generation
of doctors. I asked a woman on our faculty
to tell me what she thought about the idea
that strength is a powerful key to health.
Dr. Jennifer Potter is an associate professor
of Medicine at Harvard Medical School,
the director of Women's Health at Fenway
Health, and an out lesbian. Dr. Potter says,
"Building physical strength helps build
psychological resilience and a sense of
empowerment," affirming that there is
a strong connection between the mind
and body.
I asked her directly how we could shift
the focus away from weight with our
doctors. Her advice was to say something
like this at your next appointment: "I am
aware that my body size is outside the
'ideal body weight' range for my height.
I'm looking for a provider who can help me
focus on wellness by helping me increase
my strength or endurance, rather than
focusing on diet or calories, which I've
never found helpful. Is that something you
think you can do?"
Imagine if our health care providers
asked us to describe how we take care
of our bodies and minds in a world that
makes doing so a challenge-or if doctors
communicated that they understood how
homophobia directly impacts our health.
Dr. Potter wishes you would tell your doctor
more, like what brings you joy and what
challenges you to go forward. Imagine you
and your doctor talking about strategies for
building physical and emotional strength,
brainstorming together about potential
solutions to life's challenges.
Remember, self-care is an act of
resistance. We are lesbians, we are strong
- we got this.•
Rebecca Fox, 38, is a queer fat-identified
femme Brooklynite who lifts weights,
swims and spins. She powerlifts three
times a week for 2.5 to 3 hours each time.
"I compete every few months. I work
with Sean, an amazing coach at Murder
of Crows Barbell club," she says. For Fox,
training is about strength gain not slimming
down. "I'm interested in being strong and
seeing how much I can lift. Sean doesn't
talk to me about weight loss; his nutrition
focus is around making sure I am getting
enough protein and fat for muscle building
and recovery. He is flexible, smart, and an
amazing straight ally. My gym has a lot of
trans, gender nonconforming and queer
folks working out. No one talks about
weight loss or body normativity. They
cheer each other on and are welcoming
of everyone." The gym is owned by three
straight cisgender men who coach LGBTQ
clients. "We've had people transition at the
gym, bring their partners, whatever. It is all
wonderful," says Fox. Her advice for women
who want to be strong, regardless of their
weight? "Find a trainer or coach who can
see what you want to accomplish and who
isn't focused on how you look. If someone
shames you for being fat, walk out. You are
worth finding an exercise that makes you
feel strong and powerful. Also, there is no
'right exercise.' There is only the exercise
that makes you feel good."
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0 Maria, 5
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APR/MAY
2017
Have you met
our other twin
pop idols, The
Veronicas?
Internationally acclaimed pop electro-dance sister act The Veronicas is
like an antipodean, high-femme version of Tegan and Sara. Formed in
2004 by identical twins Lisa and Jessica Origliasso, who play piano and
guitar as well as providing the vocals,
The Veronicas have topped the
charts and won awards in their native
Australia. This past March they headlined the massive Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras party Down Under. "I
feel like Lisa and I have been planning
what we would wear to Mardi Gras for
years! Body glitter is absolutely involved," Jess told us in January.
In case you're wondering,
the
band's name comes from a line in the
cult movie Heathers in which Winona
Ryder's character describes herself as
a "Veronica," not a "Heather"-that
is,
she's her own person, not o,ne of the
conformist mean girls. And these brunettes of Italian-Australian
heritage
were somewhat unique where they
grew up in Brisbane, a place where the
majority of the population was, at the
time, of Anglo-Irish descent and commonly blond.
nto their fourth album-and
good deal of notoriety after Jess invited her on-again-off-again girlfriend
Ruby Rose to join her in a bathtub in
the sexy video for "On Your Side"-The
Veronicas are raising their profile internationally, and we caught up with
Jess to find out what's new.
BY GEMMA DART
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2017
REVIEWS/MU
Your hit music video, On Your Side, has
gone viral and fans are buzzing over
the newly rekindled relationship between you and Ruby Rose. What was it
like to work with Ruby?
Anyone who knows Ruby, or has seen
her work, understands that she leads
from her fire and heart. She is a passionate and creative force and has very
clear visions for everything she creates.
We admire her greatly for each of those
things. Getting a chance to work with a
friend we've been close with for so long
was a total high. And, on a personal level, she is kind and disarming, and I am
blessed we found our way back to each
other.
ate about the arts and creating, but we
have ideas beyond music. We have always had a passion for health, staying
eco-conscious when choosing makeup,
fashion, and food. Growing our own
food, cooking, spiritual psychology. Humanitarian work, our earth, our oceans,
our wildlife, equal rights, human rights,
animal rights, writing and filmmaking.
Since we've seen you and Ruby in a
music video, are there plans for Lisa
and her boyfriend Logan to play a
couple in the next one?
We find so much inspiration in creating with partners. We collaborated on
the music video for our song "Cruel"
with Logan. He has such an incredible
passion for cinema; he coordinated all
the stunts and fight scenes for the video,
as well as playing the villain. We would
be lucky to create more with him on future projects.
I I I
You've mentioned in previous interviews how close you and Lisa are and
how much you enjoy working with each
other as sisters and friends. Is there a
secret to how you work out your disagreements or settle the unavoidable
sibling quarrel?
I think the important thing to remember is simply to listen. We can all get
lost in translation. Try not to get petty
in fights and instead communicate with
respect, give yourself the opportunity to
try and understand their opinion or point
of view. We've spent a lot of time developing the self-awareness to get to that
answer, ha ha. We used to throw things
at each other and scream. We've since
learned that love and understanding are
far more effective.
Before your worldwide success, was
there a backup plan? Could you imagine devoting yourselves to another career, if music didn't work out?
Lisa and I have always been passion-
What's one of the weirdest experiences either of you have had with a fan?
Our fans are the most incredible and
_:::o
<
I I
C/)
I
compassionate souls [but] we've seen
some really wild tattoos. That always
blows us away.
What's one thing on your bucket list
that hasn't been checked off yet?
Finding the megalodon.
And lastly, what's your favorite '90s
anthem or jam from your childhood?
TLC-"Waterfalls."
Babes in Toyland-"Bruise Violet."
(theveronicas.com) •
ELLE
WINSTON
Heavy Now
(iTunes)
This bright, fresh funk-jazz-R&Bsingle is the first track releasefrom Elle
Winston's forthcoming album The Buyback. Winston can sing, and even
better this Brooklyn-basedartist and Indiana transplant is one of us, having
recently celebrated her one-year anniversary with her wife Melissa.We can't
wait to hear more from Winston, whose influences include JamesTaylor,
Chaka Khan, and more contemporary influences such as Lianne La Havas
and Laura Mvula. "Heavy Now" is an indie track that feels like a classic
already,and that's partly because of Winston's top-notch, soaring vocals
which deliver her self-penned lyrics. She'sably supported by confident
backing from Granville Mullings Jr. on drums, Julian Litwack on guitar, Alex
Smith on bass,and Todd Martino at the keyboard. Fansof this sometimes
overshadowed genre should keep an ear out for the album to drop.
(ellewinston.com)
MARIAH
PARKER
lndo Latin Jazz Live
In Concert
(Ancient Future)
Get your body moving to the delightful uptempo rhythms of this excellent
compilation of live performances at Yoshi'sOakland, Freight & Salvage,
Berkeley,and Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley and TRIStudios, San Rafael.
Composer/band leader Mariah Parkeron piano and santur and 8 exceptional
band members keep the groove coming with Latin, Spanish, AfroCuban, Indian, global percussion and trad jazz elements. Parker'soriginal
compositions have various inspirations and her organic, improvisational
melodies signify conservation ("For the Waters" was inspired by the threat
caused by oil spills), culture, and the pure pleasure of rhythm, such as in
"JaguarDance.""Torredembarra" is a vibrant tribute to a Catalonian town,
and a new, extended version of Parker'sexcellent "Sangria" makes you want
to mix a glass, kick back. It's refreshing to hear Global Fusion and World Jazz
delivering a message of unity through the body. (mariahparkermusic.com)
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2017
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BEST
ACTOR
C JGJ
::;;.-----:
;:u
II
C/)
The Curve Mystery Movie
results are in!
BY ANNALESE DAVIS
This past winter we asked
you to nominate your favorite
movies, documentaries, TV
and web series, YouTube
personalities, filmmakers
and actors. We received
thousands of votes and
the most popular film was
screened at the inaugural
ClexaCon Film Festival on
March 5 in Las Vegas. While
we could only screen one
film, here are the top 5 from
all categories-giving you
some great viewing options
for your next movie night or
bingewatching session. The
full list is at curvemag.com.
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2017
CATE
BLANCHETT
KATHERINE
MOENNIG
An Academy Award-winning actor of outstanding range and talent, star of stage
and screen, Cate Blanchett, also Australian, is known for her roles in such films as
Elizabeth, The Aviator, The Curious Case
of Benjamin Button, and of course her
first lesbian-themed film, Carol.
Best known for her role as Shane Mccutcheon on The L Word, Katherine Moennig
began acting in 1999 with an appearance in
the music video for Is Anybody Home? Currently, she plays the role of Lena Barnum,
an investigative assistant, in the American
crime drama Ray Donovan.
4
5
SARAH
PAULSON
An award-winning American film, television, and stage actor, Paulson was most
recently recognized for her key roles in The
People v OJ. Simpson, American Crime
Story and American Horror Story. She says
her sexuality is fluid and is currently dating
Emmy Award-winning actor Holland Taylor.
KATE
MCKINNON
Kate McKinnon is an Emmy Award-winning comedian who made her break into
television with The Big Gay Sketch Show.
She went on to work as a cast member
on Saturday Night Live taking on roles as
Hillary Clinton, Justin Bieber, Ellen DeGeneres, Robert Durst, and Jodie Foster.
REVIEWS/
MOVI
BEST
MOVIE
ALMOST
ADULTS
Cassie (Natasha Negovanlis) and Machenzie
(Elise Bauman) are two best friends navigating their final year of college while making
the transition into adulthood. Machenzie
struggles to embrace her sexuality while
trying to catch up on her lost teen years.
Meanwhile, Cassie is tasked with ending her
long-term relationship while acknowledging
that her life is not going according to plan.
AMILLION
HAPPY
NOWS
Starring Crystal Chappell and Jessica Leccie, this is the story of Lainey Allen and her
partner Eva Morales as they struggle to
deal with Lainey's diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's. The film chronicles their
changing relationship as the woman that
was once in awe of Lainey becomes her
single support system.
4DESERT
HEARTS
In 1950s Reno, Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) stays on a ranch owned by Frances
Parker (Audra Lindley) while she waits for
her divorce to come through. Frances's
25-year-old surrogate daughter, Cay (Patricia Charbonneau), pursues her attraction to Vivian and the two women risk
disapproval to embark on a relationship.
Basedon PatriciaHighsmith's novel The Price
Of Salt, Carol follows two women, played
by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, who
come from very different backgrounds and
find themselves in an unexpected love affair
in 1950s New York. This honest and beautifully portrayed love story received 6 Oscar
nominations and depicts the resilience of
the heart in the face of change.
5
IMAGINE
ME
AND
YOU
After finally tying the knot with her longtime friend Heck, Rachel (Piper Perabo)
begins a friendship with her florist Luce
(Lena Headey) intending to set her up with
Heck's best friend. She soon finds out that
Luce is a lesbian and over the course of
their friendship, Rachel begins to question
her own sexuality.
BEST
TVSERIES
Four women working in a Canadian munitions factory during World War II risk their
lives building bombs for the Allied forces.
The series explores the lives of the women
as they grow and are liberated from their
home and social restrictions.
Action adventure drama based on the DC
Comics character Supergirl aka Kara Danvers as she arrives on Earth 24 years after
her cousin Superman as she discovers that
hundreds of Krypton's criminals are actually
living on Earth.
Eight strangers discover they are "sensates," humans with a mental and emotional connection. While trying to navigate
the world with their newfound abilities,
the characters are also hunted down by
another sensate.
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2017
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PRETTY
LITTLE
LIARS
A group of four friends are tormented by a mysterious person,
known only as "A."The mystery of who "A' is compounded by the
discovery of ring leader Alison DiLaurentis' body and the police's
growing suspicion the four friends were involved.
THE
FOSTERS
This American family drama series follows the lives of the Foster
family led by couple Stef, a cop, and Lena, a school administrator,
who raise a multi-ethnic, blended family that consists of one biological child and four adopted children.
BEST
DOCUMENTARY
1
OUT
AND
AROUND
Jennifer Chang and Lisa Dazols leave their
9-5 jobs, pick up a video camera, and travel to fifteen countries throughout Asia,
Africa, and South America for one year
searching for people who are leading the
movement for LGBT equality across the
developing world.
THE
CASE
AGAINST
8
Five years in the making, this behind-the-scenes look inside the
historic legal battle to overturn California's Proposition 8 follows
the plaintiffs, two gay couples, who find their families at the centre of the same-sex marriage controversy as they take the first
federal marriage equality lawsuit to the U.S.Supreme Court.
4LESBIAN
ANGELS
A revealing documentary that looks into the lives of young lesbians living in Los Angeles. Through interviews and poetry, their
stories and experiences are shared and an insight about life,
love and everything in between is revealed.
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2017
3WISHMEAWAY
The journey of country music singer and gay rights activist
Chely Wright as she became the first major country music performer to publicly come out. Filmed over a period of 3 years,
the documentary portrays Cheryl's struggle, her private video
diaries, and plans to come out publicly.
51NTHETURN
Crystal, a 10-year old transgender girl growing up in rural Canada
and her family struggle against prejudice, hatred and ignorance.
Set against the evolution of roller derby from a niche sport into a
movement with strong roots in the LGBTQcommunity.
REVIEWS/
MOVI
BEST
WEB
SERIES
VENICE
Single lesbian and self-made interior designer Gina Grogno lives and works in Venice
Beach, California.The show highlights Gina's
love interests, family, and support system in
this edgy soap opera romance.
Exclusively on YouTube, The Leslie follows
recently out lesbian, Leslie Clark (Kate Johnson), who is in her late 20s, living and dating in sunny California. She takes each new
misadventure with a grain of salt and learns
about life, sex and what it means to be a
woman who loves women.
Brazilian web series about Mel Beart and Liz Malmo, two actresses that meet while shooting a short film and develop real
romantic feelings while portraying the fictional lovers Scarlet
and Simone. Now in its second season.
THE
"OTHER"
LOVE
STORY
The story of two young girls who develop romantic feelings for each other in Bangalore
in the 1990s. This pure, intense, passionate
love story engages the audience in the subtle
moments of the two women's lives and their
struggle and the fight to stay together.
5STARTING
FROM
NOW
Australian web series follows the tangled, increasingly complicated lives of its four lesbian protagonists as they struggle to
work out who they are, find a place where they belong, and maybe even find love along the way.
BEST
WRITER
OR
DIRECTOR
KATHERINE
BROOKS
PHYLLIS
NAGY
The Academy Award-nominated theatre
and film director, screenwriter, and playwright adapted and wrote the screenplay
for 2015's Carol, the film that led to her
nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
An American film writer and director,
Brooks has worked on prominent television shows including The Osbournes and
MTV's ground-breaking reality series The
Real World. Her feature film Loving Annabelle won the Audience Award and Best
Actress Award at Outfest in 2006.
PATRICIA
ROZEMA
The Canadian film director, writer, and
producer began her film career in print
and television journalism. Known for her
films When Night Is Falling and Mansfield
Park, Rozema most recently directed Into
the Forest, starring Ellen Page and Evan
Rachel Wood.
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2017
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4
5TODD
HAYNES
KARLA
EDUVIA
A Brazilian born writer, director, cinematographer and editor,
Eduvia's work encompasses two documentaries (including Lesbian Angels), award-winning short films, a feature film as well as
numerous music videos and commercials.
A pioneer of the New Queer Cinema movement, Haynes is an
American independent film director, screenwriter, and producer known to lesbians for directing Carol. He often works with his
producing partner Christine Vachon.
Youla BEST
YOUTUBERS
1
LACIE
&ROBIN
Since falling in love in 1996, the couple has been
writing and performing together. They co-wrote
and starred in the two-woman show, Real Girls,
which was later made into the feature film, Girl
Play. Their weekly YouTube comedy vlog, Lacie
and Robin, offers lesbian advice and humor.
2ROSE
AND
ROSIE
The cute couple and DIVA magazine covergirls
are rising YouTube stars who have amassed a following of 500,000 subscribers and make weekly
videos in improvisational and unscripted comedy
while also vlogging and running a gaming chan-
3
ELLE
ISFOR
LAURA
This British couple created their YouTube channel
with one mission in mind: #ltGetsBetter. Grab a
drink and watch how LGBT+life is as silly, adventurous, boring, fun and normal as everyone else's.
SARAH
AND
RACHEL
The Iowa couple own the production company Frame Media.
They upload vlogs weekly plus unscripted comedy, challenges,
travel, and entrepreneurship videos as well as LGBTadvice.
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2017
Ari documents foods she has enjoyed, friends and family, travel
adventures and more, and posts her tomboy fashion looks and
style series on her YouTube channel TOMBOYISH.With a new video every day, there is something for everyone.
BISEXUAL
BOMBSHELLS
DIRTY
GIRL
COLLECTION
BYHEN
STAGG
(GOllATH
BOOKS)
With so much discussion about the "male gaze," it's easy to assume that female pho-
A new erotic picture
book offers exposure
and empowerment.
BY MELANIE BARKER
tographers have no visual power, and female models even less. But is that true? Trained
commercial, fine art, and erotic photographer Ellen Stagg has made it her business to
photograph women of all levels of dress and says she is "empowering women, celebrating
and collaborating with them" through her photography. Her latest work, Dirty Girl Collection, is published by German imprint Goliath Books, and features 420 photos she's taken over the past decade of women who are used to baring it all-including the bisexual
adult actor Justine Joli (pictured above left), also known as "the lesbian queen of porn"
because of her preference for exclusively girl-girl scenes. The book also features bisexual
adult actor Charlotte Stokely, and Zoli (pictured above, right), who identifies as a lesbian.
The images depict numerous girl-on-girl tableaux in which the gaze is up for grabs: female
photographer, female subjects, and potentially queer female viewers. Stagg enjoys photographing women, particularly adult actors, which she has done since 2005 when she
met Joli, who introduced her to other women in the adult industry. Stagg's mission was
to explore erotic material in an artistic way. 'Tm a feminist artist and with my work, I want
to support women -every size and body type. I want to lift them up and make them feel
beautiful and empowered," says Stagg, who has exhibited in art galleries around the world.
EllenStagg
Note: this book is NSFW but it is for your boudoirl (staggstreet.com)
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UNDER
PARR
A coastal storm uncovers a long-buried
secret and clues to a crime that a
lesbian detective must solve.
BY ANDREA BRAMHALL
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REV1Ews1SHORT
STO
SHE
STlllFOUND
GINA
ATTRACTIVE-BEAU
BUT,
IN
EVEN-NOT
INSPITE
OF
THE
SCARS,
PART,
BECAUSE
OF
THEM.
''
Trouble in paradise?"
"Very funny," Gina responded,
but couldn't help thinking about Kate and
how little they'd seen of each other lately
and promised to call her later. "She's just
busy at work. As am I."
Will chuckled. "Hint taken. Want me to
take the shrimp in the barn with me? I've
got a whole load of stuff she can do in
there."
"Like what? Juggle axes and hedge
trimmers."
"Nah, I did that myself before. There
was a log delivery earlier that needs
crating. Delivery driver just dumped it in
the middle of the floor again."
"What do you say, Kiddo? Want to help
Will pick up a bunch of logs?"
Sammy was already stuffing her
reading book back into her bag.
"'Course."
"We'll do you're reading later then."
Sammy sighed as she pulled open the
door. "'Course," she said again with a
great deal less enthusiasm.
Will and Gina both smiled. "Thanks,
Will."
"No problem. Come on, Shrimp. First
one to fill a crate gets to pick the tunes
for the rest of the afternoon."
"You're on!" Sammy raced him to the
barn.
Gina heard the huge doors slam close
behind them.
She pulled her phone out of her
pocket and flipped open the cover of
the pink case with white stars on it that
Sammy had gotten her for Mother's Day.
She quickly flicked through to her text
messages and pulled up the conversation
between herself and Kate.
It had been two days since she'd
last had a message from Kate and she
couldn't blame her for that. She's the one
who hadn't responded to the message
Kate had sent after the last time they'd
actually seen each other.
Kate had been working late and turned
up, after Sammy was in bed, with a bottle
of wine, a box of chocolates, and that
beautiful smile of hers. They'd talked,
laughed, and gotten more than a little
merry sharing the wine. They'd kissed.
A lot. They'd both gotten turned on. A
lot. They'd both wanted nothing more
than to go to bed and finally take their
relationship to the next level.
But Kate had made one error. One
tiny moment, in an otherwise perfect
evening, had ruined it all-Kate's fingers
had brushed over the top of Gina's breast.
The touch had been electric. But for all
the wrong reasons. It was like ice water
being poured over Gina, shocking her
back to her senses, back to reality, and
the fact that there were now a series of
scars all over her body. The beginnings
of a game board on her back. A cross on
her stomach. And a line along the top of
each breast. Marring her skin. Defiling
her.
Kate had told her that they didn't
matter to her. That she still found Gina
attractive-beautiful
even-not in spite
of the scars, but, in part, because of
them. They represented the strength
with which Gina had survived the ordeal
she'd gone through. The ordeal that Kate
had saved her from. And she believed
Kate. She really did.
It was her own reaction to the scars
that was the problem.
She couldn't find herself attractive
with them. When she couldn't see them,
she didn't think about them. She could
forget that they were there, and carry on
her life. The old Gina. But the moment
Kate touched her breast, the whole thing
came rushing back. Just like it did every
time Kate touched her.
Gina looked at her own body and found
it hideous. Untouchable. Unlovable. How
could she relax when she was waiting for
Kate to look at her with pity in her eyes?
How could she respond when she was
waiting for Kate to flinch at the sight of
those ugly, jagged, lines? How could
she enjoy Kate's touch when she felt she
didn't deserve it?
She knew she should tell Kate it wasn't
going to work and let her get on with
her life. She was a beautiful woman, a
wonderful woman, who deserved to be
happy. She deserved to have someone in
her life who could make her happy. But,
selfishly, Gina didn't want to let her go.
She knew she couldn't make it work, but
she didn't want Kate to want anyone else.
Just the thought of Kate kissing another
woman burned.
"But what right do I have to keep hold
of you?" she whispered to no one.•
UnderParrisout now from YlvaPublishing.
APR/MAY
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IEWS!YOGA
Euphoria
ESSENTIAL
OILS
.w,-,
OM
AT
HOME
Transform your home into
your own private yoga studio.
BY MARCIE BIANCO
LARGE
YOGA
MAT
No need to double up on yoga mats
when you have the Manduka PRO Long
yoga mat! With its lush cushioning measuring 6.5mm in density and its extra
length, you will never feel unsupported
or run out of room. The non-toxic, 100
percent latex free, non-slick surface
also gives you the perfect grip for your
asanas. Plus, the closed-cell construction keeps your mat moisture resistant
and easy to clean. A keeper! ($134)
HuggerMugger
-
TWO
BLOCKS
Yoga blocks can be a saving grace for
tall or awkward folks! The Hugger Mugger 3.5" Cork Yoga Block is made with
100 percent sustainable and renewable
34
:
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2017
cork-not
from plastic or synthetics.
These blocks are designed with rounded
edges in order to offer gentle support to
your practice. Each block is substantial
in weight (approximately two pounds)
offering stability, comfort and confidence for supported, prolonged and restorative poses. ($19 each)
An expert blend of top-quality Aura Cacia essential oils-including
citrus, lavender and Roman chamomile-offers
sweet relief and relaxation to the senses
during your at-home yoga session. Add
a handful of drops to a diffuser, or, after
your session, dilute and combine with
your favorite skin care oil to treat your
skin to a deluxe experience. ($9)
Visit yogaoutlet.com for more details.
YOGA
STRAP
Made with 100 percent cotton, the Kulae
8' Cotton Yoga Strap ensures the stability and integrity of your poses with its
secure metal buckle, giving you added
support and peace of mind when attempting those difficult poses. ($12)
BOLSTER/
CUSHION
This 100 percent cotton Chattra Oval
Bolster is handcrafted in India and helps
you deepen your poses and relax your
body to achieve a meditative state. The
colorful and pleasing design means that
the bolster doubles as a decorative pillow for your home even when you're not
practicing yoga. ($85)
EVERY
BODY
YOGA
BOOK
Let go of your fears and get on the
mat! So says esteemed yoga teacher
Jessamyn Stanley in her book that demystifies the often intimidating field of
yoga and opens up the discipline for
people with all body types, cultural backgrounds and abilities. No matter your
shape or size, this handbook offers you
easy-to-follow instructions to 50 basic
yoga poses and 10 sequences that you
can practice at home at your own pace,
including new approaches to classic
poses with affirming names, e.g. "I Need
to ReleaseFear"and "I Want to Love Myself.'' This is body-positive yoga from a
yogi who hasjourneyed through her own
challenges and fears and is lighting the
way for your health and personal power.
(jessamynstanley.com/book)•
-
4
SWIMWEAR FOR SPRING
DATENIGHT DIRECTIVES
36
THESE UNDIES
WILL ARM YOU
curve
FASHION
ACCESSORIES
IDENTITY
BEAUTY
»
•
>>
1
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FEATURES/
STYLE
Queering
lingerie with
a purpose.
BY ANITA DOLCE VITA
Fashion is all about making a statement and FYI
ted to presenting an alternative perspective in
(Fuck You Industries) is a lingerie and erotic ac-
the intimates category. FYl's subversive imagery
cessories brand inspired by the intensity of the
and boldly suggestive products reinforce the
women who wear it. The company was founded
brand's core ethos around the power of female
in 2011 by lingerie veteran Dani Read, an open
sexuality, a concept summed up by their slogan:
lesbian and outspoken feminist who is commit-
Women are Weapons. Read incorporates her
APR/MAY
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own hard-femme take on "sexy" with designs
that are unmistakably tough, featuring leather
details, hardware embellishments and wearable
bondage. She's also never shied away from representing queerness through her brand. FYI has
launched several campaigns featuring
queer
models and/or couples and frequently works
with other queer professionals (photographers,
artists, designers) to build up a community within their industry. This year, FYI plans to put their
feminist purpose into real action by launching a
web-based non-profit for survivors of sexual trauma. (fyibydaniread.com) •
38
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FEATURES/
STYLE
PHOTOGRAPHER:
YOLI BAEZ
MODELS:
ZIGGY AND TEA
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2017
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FEATURES/
STYLE
..,.
Chic 1990s-influenced
swimwear for beach outings.
BY MELANIE BARKER
PHOTOGRAPHER: TREVOR KING
MODEL: DOMINIQUE
DUNN
STYLING: KATINKA SOMERS
Designer brand We Are Handsome brings back the athletic
supermodel chic of the 1990s with their latest line of swimwear. Remember the Amazonian, healthy physiques of Elle
(The Body') Macpherson, Linda Evangelista and Naomi
Campbell? Today's anemic runway standards make those
strong women seem like rarities now. But their legends live
on with collections such as We Are Handsome's Hustle Theory collection: bold and detailed prints, bright pops of color,
and cuts that are physique-friendly. The campaign for this
line of swimwear was shot at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia-a safari-style luxury beach camp located where
the Outback meets the reef and blends in naturally with its
surrounding landscape. The collection shows off its '90s influences-neon color, exercise silhouettes, and the prices are
decades old, too, starting at $68. (wearehandsome.com) •
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Need femme-spiration for date night attire? Look no
further than The Loc'd Bella, a life and style brand run
by queer femme of color Debbie-jean Lemonte. A
photographer and writer who advocates for people of
color and the LGBTQIcommunity through her art and
public speaking, Lemonte's photography
has been
featured in GQ Report, Huffington Post, dapperQ,
Refinery29, and BuzzFeed, to name a few. Her busy
schedule of activism, writing, art, and travel requires
smart wardrobe planning to keep her looking polished
and chic for every occasion. Here are some of her favorite go-to outfits for date night. (thelocdbella.com) •
WORDS: ANITA DOLCE VITA & DEBBIE-JEAN LEMONTE
PHOTOGRAPHER: SARA GEFFRARD
/
/
OUTFIT
#1:THE
JUMPSUIT
Sometimes, especially during spring and summer, it's
best to go with a piece of clothing that shows off some
skin and leaves room for the imagination. One of my
favorites is the jumpsuit. You're able to show off your
beautiful clavicles, give your 'assets' some airtime, and
still manage to keep everything classy. I love this jumpsuit because it showcases my curves without going allout naked. Normally, I'd pair the jumpsuit with a dramatic
touch of texture, like lace, because lace is sexy but posh.
A simple neck piece doesn't detract from my outfit or
makeup. Accessories should complement what you're
wearing, not overpower it.
FEATURES/
STYLE
OUTFIT
#2:THE
BODYCON
A sexy body-conscious dress hugs
every inch of your body and shows off
your most beautiful assets. A 'bodycon' dress lures your date without you
saying a word. It gives them the visual permission to mentally drink from
your fountain without touching you.
Don't forget the mixture of textures
and colors. Wearing a dress with metallic details gives you an edgy look,
but adding a leather jacket offers
warmth and takes your dress from
simple to sexy in a matter of seconds.
I paired this dress with my knee-high
laced heels for a hint of mystery. You
don't want to look too desperate on
the first date. With this outfit you're
raunchy and classy.
?,.
1
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2017
CURVE
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Spice up date night with
these sexy accessories.
E
CUFF
YOUR
GIRL
Or maybe she wants to cuff herself. These gorgeous black
leather and stainless steel fashion cuffs make an elegant
and edgy accessory in public-and convert to a playful
foreplay toy in private. Who doesn't like a girl who comes
equipped to play?
OUTFIT
#3:HOT
HEELS
My go-to when I've been dating someone for a while is
comfy-casual with a hot pair of heels. This is perfect for
a quick bite at the bar or coffee and brunch dates. It's an
uncomplicated look that still allows your date to enjoy the
view. What I love about comfy-casual is you don't have to go
shopping for this. Takethe staple pieces you have, combine
them, add a pop of color, and you're ready to go. The cardigan is for warmth (if by chance the weather isn't as cute as
your outfit); the T-shirt paired with denim shows effortless
style; and the heels pump up your butt and show that you
still consider this moment something to dress up for.
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2017
VA-VA-VOOM
VESPER
For a provocative accessory, try this playful pendant. The
Crave Vesper is both an elegant piece of jewelry and a
strong, slim mini-vibe. Wear it to dinner to make a sexy
statement to your date, and enjoy it as a fun toy once
dinner's over. (lovecrave.com)
FEATURES/
STYLE
Transgender model Ren
works beyond labels.
Ren Spriggs, 23, is part of a new generation of genderqueer
models who are defying categories in the fashion industry.
"Currently as far as an LGBT spectrum goes, I don't really
go with labels toward this or that, I just like femininity and
chicks," explains Ren.This in-demand model and avid gamer
struggles to be accepted by some lesbians. "Whenever I
meet a lesbian and I tell them I'm trans and I like girls, it's
always a massive shock and somehow incomprehensible
to them that it's even possible." Some demystification of
lesbian-identified transwomen is necessary, says Ren. "One
of the biggest things I'd like to say is that in the end-girls,
boys, or whatever in between-people like people. We're
judged and loved by who we are, not what we are." So far
the modeling industry is embracing Ren. "Most people are
very kind or don't even know in the first place. Modeling has
helped me to become more confident and comfortable
within my own skin by offering me life experiences."
Follow Ren on lnstagram @RenBeep
APR/MAY
2017
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45
FEAiTURES/
BEAUTY
::._
...l"'-=---1 =--
EXFOLIATION
OUT
OF
OHIO
The OY-LBody Scrub was designed by a mom
from Akron, Ohio on a mission against harmful
chemicals in skincare products. The gorgeous
pink Himalayan salt infused with natural and
essential oils offers your body a soothing and
relaxing scrub when added with a little water
and applied in circles to your skin. (oy-1.com)
tavido :;-, ...,
Ulr ..
ll
8<
FROM
THE
GALILEE
VALLEY
Created by an Israeliherbalist,Thera-lntensive
Body Cream by Lavido is a blend of natural
aromatherapeutic and organic tea tree,
lavender and cold-pressed black cumin
seeds oils. Made with the best raw ingredients
available,this dermatologically safe cream
restores even the driest skin. (lavido.com)
SOUTH
AMERICAN
SCRUB
Made with organic and
natural ingredients such as
coconut bark which removes
Safe and natural beauty products for every body.
dead skin cells, Amazonian
white clay which enhances
exfoliation, and organic Aloe
Verajuice which hydrates,
Are you a city girl with a toe in the country?
and have numerous uses instead of just
Do you love the stimulation of an urban
one. Cruelty-free, vegan, organic, gentle
environment
but long for a greener life?
enough for all bodies (including their 3-year-
Perhaps you'd like herbal spa time at home?
old daughter Kendall) the Limegreen range
Skincare mavens and
Sapien Women Body Scrub
is an earthy and restorative
experience for your skin.
(suryabrasilproducts.com)
Brooklyn couple
includes a multi-use balm that works from
Talima Davis and Allison Lamb have you
tip to toe; conditioning soaps for hair, face,
PLANT
ATREE
WITH
EMERGINC
covered! When they wanted to help a
body and hands; body oils that remove
Scientific Organics emerginC
friend suffering from cancer caused by
makeup while nourishing your skin; natural
Coconut-Argan Body Oil
environmental
scented candles that melt into massage oil;
toxins, Davis recalled her
grandmother's
farm
where
remedies
home
in North
and
Carolina
a natural
and a body mist that is also an air and linen
freshener-plus,
these products are pocket-
approach to living and healing were part of
sized, making them perfect for travel or
everyday life. To help their friend, Davis and
thoughtful
Lamb created natural, nontoxic skincare
taking notice: Limegreen has already been
products in their Brooklyn apartment, and
featured in Better Homes & Gardens, on
gifts. And the beauty biz is
when demand grew, the Limegreen brand
MarthaStewart.com,
was born: products that are eco-conscious,
(brooklynlimegreen.com)
46
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2017
and Project Runway.
is made with one hundred
percent botanical extracts
to soothe and soften all skin
types. Use after a shower,
sun exposure, or for a gentle
massage. For every product
purchased, emerginC plants
an indigenous tree in a nonharvest location around the
world. (emerginc.com)
50LUCASSILVEIRAARRIVES
60SOPHIE B. IS BACK
62MORE MARGARETCHO
curve
COMMUNITY
CELEBRITY
CULTURE
»
48
DANCING FOR EQUALITY
>>
APR/MAY
2017
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47
I
identify as an artist, representing
evolution and creation without limits.
I approach my sexuality the same
way: it's about what I like at any given
moment, and is not limited by gender. My
identity is not defined by the physical-my
haircut, eye color, gender, whom I sleep
with-but by my emotional existence and
contribution to the world through my art.
That being said, visibility is a high priority,
whether you're changing the planet, or
bringing pride to a community where
people are still fighting to walk down
the street holding hands without facing
harassment or violence.
For me, this creates a "no more excuses
clause" to share and shine who I am. I'm
-
------
a performer, a chameleon, and I relish
the malleability that comes with that role.
"Bi" is for me a limiting word, but it clearly
communicates to others my appreciation
of all. I see beauty everywhere. At times,
my relationship to the lesbian/queer
women's community feels private, tribal,
akin to a club that I celebrate within myself
and with close friends. I'm still exploring
this relationship through the development
of my work, addressing expected norms of
behavior for women and the inescapable
currency society places on our bodies. I
love that the work I create connects me
with women, while exploring universal
themes of life and love.
As a child, I never felt I was woman or
-
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f',J..r
,:
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-
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FEATURES/
man, but aligned with the animal energies
of bird and lion. I feel the same today. I
was and am still obsessed with animal
behaviors and movement. My first word
was "bird," and that's how I felt inside, as
a child and today. My early awareness of
my body came from intense experiences
with nature-running barefoot in the snow,
spilling boiling water on myself in the
kitchen, feeling moonlight on my face.
Movement was a necessary way to express
myself, then and now, a daily purge of all
the different characters inside me. Even in
preschool, I don't remember holding on to
the designation or behaviors of "girl:' I just
desperately needed to move.
I played a lot of sports as a child but
begged my parents to enroll me in serious
ballet classes, which they did when I
was 8. I went every day in a leotard and
socks. I was never the skinny kid or the
wealthy kid. I just wanted to learn, and
that hunger has driven and continues
to drive me through situations that have
made me uncomfortable or unwelcome. I
needed to know.
As a teenager and through my 20s I had
a challenging and hateful relationship with
my body because of the classical dance
environment I grew up in. I was raised in
front of a mirror, constantly addressing
every angle and flaw. For a time, I didn't
want to have breasts or hips; I wanted to
be less-which reflects on how society
and the ballet world attempt to strip
women of their power and identity, be
smaller, be thinner, be quieter, so that a
male dominated field remains in control."
But curves are power-on stage, on the
street, and in the bedroom. They demand
attention.
My athletic body type has weathered
years of dancing, and I'm lucky. My
"disadvantages" are now strengths. At its
core, ballet is a brilliant system of energy,
geometry, and physics applied to the
physical form, and I have had the capacity
to see past its negative cultural norms. I
had to be twice as good as everyone else
because of my size, so I put my head down
and got to work. I changed people's minds
about what a ballet line looks like and
who could be included. I never wanted to
belong, but am now welcome. I continue
to explore myself as a producer through
films, theater, and my cabaret show,
Breton Follies, where I focus specifically
on the celebration of the female form.
The biggest obstacle in any situation is
overcoming the opinions of other people,
such as the director who says, "We can't
hire you because there are no men big
enough to partner you. You're too much:'
I've had dance partners who are fantastic
and it has nothing to do with size. You
can win people over with your talent and
passion, and New York City is a great place
to be "too much." When in doubt, start your
own company and write your own rules.
There is nothing like dancing and acting
alongside people who love and support
the work that you collectively are making,
to music that moves your soul, in costumes
you love, which I discovered only when I
was forced to make my own work. Dancers
have limited time to do what they love. But
there is no limit to what they will give when
embraced for who they are.
I have had my low points. At 22, I was
so sick with burned-out adrenals and years
of anorexia I remember barely having the
strength to walk upstairs. I was destroying
my body and soul to fit into a mold that
wasn't me. I wasn't listening; I was pushing
myself without being honest. I've been
surrounded by grief and anger most of
my life, and I've finally learned to let it
out, to feel those emotions, and my work
is an avenue for that. The low points I've
experienced were catalysts for change,
and a redirection of my health and my art.
Health is the measure of loving your
body. I have work to make, and I need to
take good care of my body to continue to
do what I love. I thank my body for being
able to dance every day, to swim, to do
yoga, to communicate with my students
and collaborators. I've spent enough time
playing with nutrition to learn the foods
that fuel me and to appreciate them. I've
come to own the power of my body as
an athlete and a woman. I have very little
attachment to how I look now. I'm most
happy when I'm creating, and I know that
my life would be dark without it.
The message of my work is that women
can be anything. I don't feel restricted by
THE BO_DY
____
gender or body image, and my strength
and visibility are necessary to encourage
other women to be who they are in a maledominated world.
My lesbian-themed work, Tanguito, was
the first piece I made in New York City, and
it felt like a huge risk in terms of content,
styling, music, and choreography. Playing
a lesbian character scared me, so I knew
I had to go for it. My dear friend and
collaborator Catherine Correa approached
me one day and said, "B, you're going
downhill, we have to get in the studio and
do something." So we did and decided
to make a love story, which gave us the
broadest palette of human emotion to play
with. We worked from a place of emotional
motivation, and that determined
the
movement. Working with Catherine is like
working with Chanel-there's no room
for nonessentials. Last year, we adapted
Tanguito for film; it's set to be released
this spring. Relationships are universally
messy, so we wanted to show all sides
of a love affair. A sex scene with two
women in conservative gowns from the
1930s definitely lends itself to comedic
interpretations. I wanted to exaggerate
"scissoring" as a limited view of lesbian
sex and sensuality, by pronouncing it
physically to my audience.
Established cultural norms should never
be an excuse for lack of curiosity. I think
we need to come together as a society
and speak to one another. Women need
to turn to one another with support and
love. A lot of body hate is propelled by
the perceived power of the male gaze.
Break that construct and opinions become
irrelevant.•
I
have spent most of the last 10 years
waking up to the reality that I am a
man who used to be a woman and
processing the weight of what that means.
Many trans people cringe at the statement,
believing it demeans my true identity by
recognizing that my male gender is not
innate. The implication is that as an out
and public trans person I somehow hold
a responsibility to stick to the party line:
I am and have always been a "man." But I
don't identify with that narrative and will no
longer accept the imposition of it.
I've spent years doubting my manhood
because of perceived notions of my
identity, particularly within the LGBTQ
community. It took years of self-doubt,
internalized oppression, self-victimization,
and hitting rock bottom in my personal
life to finally accept spiritual integration
and the complete embodiment of my
manhood into a body that had once been
female.
I have lived my life publicly as a trans
person since my band, The Cliks, got
signed to a major-label record deal,
making me the first out transgender male
in history to have accomplished such a
feat. Along with praise for the music, we
received immediate attention from both
the mainstream and the LGBTQmedia.
Although I was 32 years old, I was green
as a person, as a trans man, and as a music
industry professional. I was coming into
an identity with zero understanding of
what that meant within my community. I
essentially grew up in the public eye when
visibility for trans people was next to nil.
I was called brave and simultaneously
criticized for not being the right kind of
representative-a common and frustrating
issue for any public trans person. We can
only take responsibility for representing
ourselves, as we cannot possibly embody
all narratives within such a diverse
community. To further complicate the
issue, I transitioned without hormones, for
fear of losing my singing voice. Unable to
reconcile the risk, I moved ahead with top
surgery as my only physical transition, so
most people still perceived me as female.
As The Cliks grew in popularity, our
opportunities increased as well. We
were asked to be part of Cyndi Lauper's
True Colors tour, which resulted in more
media attention, endless touring, many
TV appearances and magazine covers. I
suddenly had everything I had ever wanted,
yet found myself more disconnected than
I had ever been. I felt invisible and only felt
grounded when drunk. I have an odd sense
of functionality while drunk, so I often
passed as sober. No one was the wiser,
even when I was two bottles of wine in.
FEATURES/
After three years of nonstop touring,
and just before we headed into the studio
to record our second major-label release,
I ended up in bed for weeks with stressinduced narcolepsy. I was silently suicidal.
Silent because of the responsibility I felt
to the younger trans people who would
come to our shows to tell me I had
saved their lives, which not only created
unnerving pressure but made me feel like
an ungrateful asshole.
My gender dysphoria peaked as I
increasingly felt invisible as a male in front
of thousands of people calling me Lucas.
When my silent suicidal ideations wouldn't
stop, I knew something had to change.
The need to integrate my gender, body,
and soul was becoming necessary for my
survival.
As the universe has a way of knowing
when it's time for change, merely two
weeks after we released our second
album, the band quit, which led me to fire
my manager. I was left alone on a label
that now showed little interest in keeping
the band going, even though I had quickly
and seamlessly found new band mates and
management. I listened to the space the
universe was creating and I resolved to
start hormone therapy. I told no one but
my partner and a few friends.
Soon after the grips of testosterone
began to take hold, the label dropped me
and new management lost interest. My
trans identity, once a tool to exploit, was no
longer convenient. The physical and vocal
changes had suddenly shifted everyone's
energy toward me; even my partner
began to perceive me in a way that I can
only describe as foreign. After five years
together, I broke up with her five months
into hormone therapy.
I didn't fight for my label, my manager,
or my relationship. I felt I had built enough
of an audience and a personal support
system in the LGBTQcommunity to propel
me forward as an independent musician
and as a post-hormonal male.
I was wrong.
When I became visibly masculine, my
primarily female and lesbian audience
vanished. I blamed them for the decline
in my career. When I realized that my
physical transformation had made women
feel alienated from me, I felt as betrayed by
them as they probably did by me. I started
to believe that my feelings of invisibility
were a result of being gaslighted by my
audience, my label, my management, my
band, and my partners. I became intensely
aware of my marginalization, and I became
so enraged with my loss that my struggle
became my identity.
Everyone tells you about the physical
aspects of transitioning, but no one can
prepare you for the emotional process,
especially the loss and grief.
I lost many friends and a lesbian
community that I had been a part of for
years, a community that had accepted
me as a trans man for the last five. I was
no longer welcomed in their spaces. I
was no longer allowed to be passionate,
loud, upset, or angry because it was often
misconstrued as aggression, whereas
before it was understood as just my
personality. But with a deep voice and facial
hair, just being me became unacceptable.
People often righteously call out toxic
masculinity. I take no issue with that.
But check yourself when you demonize
masculinity overall because you personally
have a traumatic narrative attached to it, a
narrative that you have not yet unpacked
and laid to rest. Guilty of having done this
as a female, I now, as a male, understand
that not all masculinity is toxic, and to
treat it as such is inherently violent and
can dangerously alienate those who
have a very different socialization and a
marginalized identity within masculinity.
Told I no longer had permission to access
my female socialization, I internalized so
much oppression from within the LGBTQ
community that I allowed it to poison my
perspective, and my identity became
fragmented. My therapist felt I was in
danger because this forced separation
in identities created dissociation from
the experiences and the trauma I had
undergone as a female, experiences
she felt were vital to my integration as a
whole person. But my anger and sense of
victimization consumed me. It was spiritual
warfare and I was losing.
Once again, invisibility ensued, as
did my self-destructive behavior when
I willingly allowed the perceptions of
others to control how I felt about myself.
I was tired and decided to leave Toronto.
Needing anonymity, I moved to Brooklyn.
By the time my singing voice finally
settled, I had written the best songs of my
life; after pining, I eventually ended up in
a short yet impactful relationship with a
woman named Katie who served as one
THE BO_DY
____
of my most revered muses. Then I moved
back to Toronto and met the person who
became the greatest love of my life and
eventually my wife.
When I met Skye, I had just gotten
my head above water. I was healthier
emotionally and physically than I had ever
been, but I was not yet integrated. She
made me feel seen in a way that led me to
falling in love with her deeper than I had
with anyone before.
Our love was grand until our personal
traumas and identities impacted, resulting
in an explosive, fiery crash that tossed
our limp bodies through the windshield,
scattering our remains aimlessly over
pavement. Neither one of us realized
what had happened. We were best friends
and loved each other intensely, having
bonded through trauma and our own
personal victimization. This resulted in
an "us against them" mentality that kept
both of us feeling we were all the other
one had, and so we became emotionally
co-dependent. Regrettably, our personal
pain became all we had in common, and it
competed for attention in the relationship.
As a result, neither of us had the capacity
to be present or supportive to the other, or
to ourselves.
As Skye dissociated from her pain as
a survival skill, she became increasingly
cruel. I, on the other hand, sank into her
pain for company as a means to avoid my
own. Eventually, my self-loathing, my lack
of self-respect and self-care became so
physically and emotionally visible that this
in itself became a form of cruelty. I often
wonder if this left her feeling a sense of
abandonment.
I should have walked away from her hurt,
from my own, but I didn't, even though I
knew it was killing me. Like a coward, I
didn't want the burden of regret. I had also
buried my identity so deeply within her
validation of it that I felt I would disappear
without her.
She finally had the courage to leave, and
even though I initially hated her for it, I have
come to love her deeply for the action, as I
recognize that it was the most loving thing
she could have done for me, and ever has.
It has been through mourning the loss
of our relationship and my obsession to
understand what happened between us,
__
FEATURES/
___,
THE BODY
as well as my need to fully understand her
as a whole human being, that I have gained
the deepest insight into myself that I've
ever known.
Just over a month after she left, I hit
rock bottom, after getting the news that I
might possibly have cancer. My self-harm
became acute. My clinical depression
progressed as I awaited confirmation of my
final diagnosis, which made me drink more
and smoke more-my chosen methods of
self-harm.
After an evening of manic behavior
brought on by feelings of abandonment
and hopelessness, and further aided by
a massive drinking binge, I found myself
standing in my kitchen, awoken from what
felt like a sleepwalking blackout, with a
half-empty magnum of wine in one hand, a
handful of pills in the other, and a mouthful
of disintegrating valium halfway down my
throat. What woke me was hearing a calm
voice say, "Lucas. Wake up. Save yourself.
Call the police:' And so I did.
I didn't know it at the time, but making
the choice to live that day was my first step
in realizing my personal power. Power that
I never knew existed, as I had given it away
to my personal victimization. Thankfully, I
didn't have cancer, and as time passed, I
began to understand that the main reason
I had never integrated fully was because
I was resigned to the belief that I had no
power. I believed that I had no control over
how I felt about my marginalization, my
oppression. I internalized it and allowed
it to become my identity, and in doing
so I gave control to the oppressor by
becoming its greatest tool.
I realized that every place I had inhabited
was the result of a choice I had personally
and consensually made-and many of
those choices went against my better
judgment, against my truth; they were
made amidst self-doubt and desperation,
fully and completely due to my lack of love
and compassion for myself.
People will hurt you in life. Systems
of oppression no doubt will as well, but
when you make the choice to allow the
pain of oppression to control how you
treat yourself, and become the only lens
through which you focus your view of
others, you lose yourself and eventually
you start losing those around you. Selfvictimization is one tool a person can use
to never accept accountability for where
their life is. You can always conveniently
52
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2017
blame the system. It was only through
sobriety that I became aware that I was
personally responsible for creating the
same patterns over and over, patterns that
reinforced my victimization. Whenever my
life fell apart, I never felt I needed to take
responsibility. To take responsibility meant
I needed to do something. Meant that I
could do something. I had been convinced
by the system to actually fear my own
personal power. That is the true meaning
of oppression.
Through relinquishing my personal
victimization came immense pain, guilt,
and regret for the years that I had allowed
myself to be so unkind to myself and,
through that lack of self-care, unkind to
others. But in the same breath, I figured out
that everything needed to fall apart before
I could make this realization, and it opened
up a place in me of immense personal
compassion, which led to being capable
of being more compassionate to others
than I ever knew possible. The power of
self-forgiveness opens up a pathway to
true love.
Through these acts, I began to integrate
and feel whole and feel peace in my body,
in my gender, and in my manhood. I began
to feel seen because I could finally see
myself. In allowing my struggle to become
my identity, I actually became invisible.
My gender is not above my humanity and
never will be again.
The finality of my integration came
when my father passed last April.
A parent dying can be extremely
destabilizing to one's identity. I am the
youngest of three, having an older
brother; by cultural standards, this
put him next in line to become a sort
of unspoken family patriarch. To my
surprise, this role was shifted to me. It
took me off guard and, due to my personal
views of patriarchal systems, made me
extremely uncomfortable. But I would
be lying if I didn't say it was strangely the
most validating way that my family could
ever have completely and absolutely
acknowledged me as male.
It dawned on me that I needed to grow
up, because I truly felt like a 43-yearold child. I had somehow relied on my
father's physical presence to never truly
feel as though I was responsible for my
own life, even though I was completely
independent. For the first time I felt the
presence and deep fear of my inner child.
A child with the burden of taking care
of my adult body. I knew the danger of
continuing on this path. So I finally reached
in and looked at little Lucas and I let him
see the grown-up I had become. I picked
him up and said, "I got this." I held him so
close that we finally became one.
For the first time in my life I felt my soul
and body integrated as one, and it was in
that moment that I realized what it truly
meant to embody my manhood. That it
had nothing to do with gender but that it
was about truly trusting, accepting, and
finally falling in love with Lucas Silveira.•
FEATURES/
Danielle
King's deep concern for the
well-being of others was nurtured
back in elementary school as she cared
for a blind and deaf classmate, and this
instinct was more clearly defined later
when she came out as gay in middle
school. "It wasn't cool to be gay," she says.
"My peers called me names and made me
feel uncomfortable. I didn't understand
why someone would want to hurt me:'
The challenges she faced in her youth
made King stronger and motivated her to
become an advocate for others.
Today, King, a former member of the
U.S. Marines, is nearing the completion
of a master's degree at Rutgers School of
Public Health and is also making plans to
help homeless LGBTQA teens and young
adults.
She volunteers as assistant chair of
Community Outreach for Disability Allies,
an East Brunswick, N. J., nonprofit that
pairs disabled young adults with mentors.
King traces her advocacy for challenged
individuals back to an elementary school
program that paired handicapped students
with nondisabled classmates during lunch.
THE BO
It was a life-changing moment when she
discovered that the girl next door, who was
both blind and deaf, could use a friend. "I
started taking her to the park after school
and realized that disabled people needed
involvement and interaction," she says.
She sought opportunities to work with
the disabled community, such as teaching
children with disabilities to swim.
At 18, King enlisted in the U.S. Marine
Corps for three years, including a oneyear deployment to Afghanistan as an
intelligence analyst. "Serving as a marine
made me more confident;' she says. "I
realized I could overcome any obstacle:'
When she entered the military, she
formed a group of LGBTQ women and
men near her base in North Carolina. "This
was during the time of 'Don't Ask, Don't
Tell,' which really put me in the closet;' she
says. "I found that many people had similar
stories about coming out to their families at
a young age. That's when it hit me that we
needed a voice:' Her service completed,
she enrolled in Middlesex Community
College, where she learned about careers
in public health. "I started taking classes
and thought, Oh, this is exactly what I want
to do, get into the grassroots of the issues
that plague our community," she recalls.
In 2014, King transferred to Rutgers
to finish her degree in public health and
became a health activist. Volunteering
with the Health Outreach, Promotion,
and Education (H.O.P.E.) peer education
program, she taught fellow students
about substance abuse and encouraged
them to pledge to be designated drivers.
She continues her work in improving
community health by working as an HIV
counselor and tester at Hyacinth AIDS
Foundation.
Her sights are now set on joining the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) in Atlanta, where she hopes to
establish a nonprofit joint venture with her
wife, Jahari Shears, fulfilling a dream to
support the LGBTQAcommunity.
"We want to be the adults teenagers can
look up to, if they don't have that support
at home. We want to provide a place for
them to go, and assist them with enrolling
in college or finding employment," she
says. "I want to share with them what I
learned as a marine: When you feel like
you're hitting a block, say, 'I've got this.' It'll
give them the energy to keep pushing."•
APR/MAY
2017
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YOUCANHELPTHEM
DONATENOW
IFAW.ORG/CURVE
QIFAW
International Fund for Animal Welfare
FEATURES/
Every
body has a love story. A
decade-long romance that bloomed
with soul searching and coming out, the
award-winning columnist Jill Andrew and
television producer Aisha Fairclough have
made a commitment to each other-and
to activism.
By promoting body positivity in Canada,
they have become a power couple in
Toronto's LGBTQ community. Andrew, 38,
and Fairclough, 36, are co-founders of the
Body Confidence Canada Awards (BCCAs)
and Fat in the City. They're also part owners
of Glad Day Bookshop, North America's
oldest surviving LGBTQbookstore.
Back in 2013, during the Toronto
International Film Festival, Andrew and
Fairclough were at home-in the showerwhen the idea for the BCCAs was born.
"I said to Aisha, It's TIFF season," says
Andrew. "Films are going to be coming
out and they're not going to have any films
that star us-black women, or fat women,
or anything of the sort. Why don't we do
an event that will celebrate women of size
in TV and film and magazines-a toast to
curves!"
Though the two events are not affiliated,
the BCCAs were inspired by the United
Kingdom's Be Real Campaign and its
awards. This year will mark the fifth annual
BCCAs, which aim to reimagine body
diversity and to honor Canadians who
THE BO
fight against stereotypes, judgments,
and policies that discriminate against any
bodies. "Often people who are trailblazers
and who do the work don't get recognized
enough;' says Fairclough.
Before diverse representation started to
trend in the media, Andrew and Fairclough
started recognizing the political pioneers
who pushed back at beauty standards
and worked to make casting calls more
diverse. Before the BCCAs, and in addition
to their keynote talks and workshops, they
organized the Curvy Catwalk Fashion
Fundraiser and followed with BITEME!, the
Toronto International Body Image Film &
Arts Festival.
Lisa Gore Duplessis, also a co-owner
of Glad Day Bookshop and the Programs
and Community Services director at The
519, a charitable nonprofit agency in
Toronto, knows Andrew and Fairclough are
respected and loved by the local LGBTQ
community, both as activists and as a
queer couple.
"Their body positive campaign certainly
impacts a marginalized LGBT community;'
says Duplessis, who was involved with
providing The 519 as a space for the
latest BCCAs. "There's nothing more
empowering than meeting people who
face your own struggle and have your own
politics."
The pair question the way certain
cultural and economic spaces embrace
diversity or not: While there are more
models of color or plus-size people being
represented, they think it's still a very Eurocentric industry. "Those who have made it
as 'racialized people' and as 'fat people'there tends to be a tokenism element;'
explains Andrew.
While Andrew takes on her latest battle,
making weight discrimination illegal by
fighting to change the human rights
code in Canada-Fairclough supports her
through research on policies around the
world, and with backrubs.
For this duo, it was love at first laughand they have come a long way since
they met 13 years ago, from wearing
black leather jackets and intoxicating
scents to promoting good politics and
following through with a decision to
love each other. For Andrew, it was
Fairclough's dimples; for Fairclough, it
was Andrew's big personality-for both,
it's been about making a difference.
(bodyconfidencecanadaawards.com) •
APR/MAY
2017
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E
ven before they got engaged,
Jennifer Salinas and Shelly
Vincent were going to fightexcept this was no lovers' quarrel. It
might have been competitive, but it was
a matchup that one of the two pro boxers
didn't want. "I didn't think it was going to
be a good fight for me-she was a way
better fighter," Salinas remembers telling
her trainer. Vincent was intrigued, though
not necessarily in a pugilistic sense.
"I said, 'I don't want to fight her, I want to
.. : you know,'' Vincent laughs. "No, that's
the type of woman I would wife up:'
The fight never happened. But the whole
"wife up" thing, that's a commitment the
37-year-old Vincent is making good on.
After her July 2016 win over Christina Ruiz,
Vincent proposed to Salinas in the ring.
Salinas said yes, making it a double victory
for the Rhode Island residents, or maybe
even a triple one, considering that in the
world of boxing homophobia has been as
commonplace as mouthguards and gloves.
This time, the bulk of the community
greeted the news of the Salinas-Vincent
engagement with open arms.
"I actually thought that when I proposed
to Jen, that it might be a problem, but they
embraced it," Vincent says. "I feel like gay
is the new black. It's just accepted and it's
getting more embraced:'
Yet despite finding acceptance from the
boxing community, Salinas has discovered
that there was a price to be paid for her
happiness. In fact, for Salinas, a native of
Bolivia who came out as gay after living
much of her life in the shadows, this
decision has cost her in a number of ways.
"It went viral in Bolivia," Salinas says.
"It came out on every news channel,
every sports show, in newspapers and
magazines, and a lot of gay boxers reached
out to me, congratulated me, and basically
welcomed me into the gay world. But I
had a lot of sponsors in Bolivia, national
companies, I had the president's support,
and everybody dropped me once I came
out because now, according to them, I
wasn't that role model, that hero figure. A
lot of people also wished death on us, and
they said that if they ever saw us walking on
the streets of Bolivia, they would stone us:'
But Salinas, a mother of four currently
going through a divorce from her husband,
is not about to back down. She is a fighter.
"There was a group of people that really
supported us and a lot of women who were
in my situation;' she recalls. "They reached
out to me and they said I was helping
them find courage. When I came out, I lost
$70,000 [in sponsorship money] within
hours, but no money in the world can give
me the feeling that Shelly gives me. I'm so
happy now. I'm absolutely in love with her
and I've never been happier. I'm so proud
to hold her hand in front of everybody and
not worry about what people say or think:'
It is almost as if fate made all this happen.
Salinas and Vincent are two kindred spirits
who both suffered sexual abuse and other
personal tragedies as children, found the
same form of salvation through boxing,
and then just happened to cross paths
thanks to managers who wanted them to
throw punches at each other in the ring.
"What brought us to boxing was the
childhood sexual abuse, and what brought
us together was boxing, so we have similar
pasts and boxing saved us, and that's how
we met, through boxing;' says Salinas,
who in a 13-year career has won two world
championships, at 122 and 130 pounds.
Vincent has scored a pair of 122-pound
world titles in her own right, and competed
against Heather Hardy in the first women's
bout to be aired on major cable television
(NBC Sports Network) in several years.
Suffice it to say that they are pioneers
in many ways, but when all is said and
done, Salinas is still mom to her 8-yearold son and three girls, ages 4, 12, and 18,
and they all accept their mother's new
life and the love of her life, who is not shy
about screaming from the rooftops about
her lady. "I have certain things that I'm
private about, but you know me and my
personality-I don't hide;' says Vincent,
who wears a Guy Fawkes mask and a
straitjacket into the ring, where she's not
above doing some consciousness-raising:
"I wear the straitjacket to symbolize that
as women we're tied down in sports;'
she says. "I just like to be me and I'm not
ashamed of who I am. I wouldn't hide it,
and I wouldn't want to be with somebody
who would want to hide it:'
Salinas isn't hiding.
"I used to exist before;' says the fighter
known as The Bolivian Queen. "Now I'm
really living:'•
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UP
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CURVEMAG.COM
I
have seen God a couple of times.
And not just after really great sex.
For some reason, whenever I've been
dieting or starting some kind of new
"health" regime, I have a God encounter.
I went on the Master Cleanse one time for
two weeks.
That's right. Nothing to eat. Just a drink
made of lemon juice, cayenne pepper,
and Grade B maple syrup six times a day.
Seven, if I got really hungry.
After Day 13, I'm walking, well, really
crawling home from somewhere thinking,
Hmmm, what's for dinner tonight?
Lemon, cayenne pepper, and water? Or
water. Lemon and cayenne pepper with
more water and lemon? Lemon, cayenne,
syrup, water, lemon lemon lemon, water
water ...and then I look up and there
is God-or
maybe it's the lady who
played Mother Nature in the old Chiffon
Margarine commercials. Remember her?
She says, "It's not nice to fool Mother
Nature!"
Anyway, I smile and she smiles back
and just when I'm going to ask, "Hey,
what's it all about, anyway?" she's gone.
And all I have left is this strange tingling
sensation ...and I feel strangely ...thin.
Another time, a friend of mine in Los
Angeles, Susie-who, like me, is also
always dieting and searching for the
fitness answer-Susie sends me a special
miracle "tea" she's discovered online. She
tells me to drink it three times a day and
the weight will just fall off! Of course I
start drinking it right away.
Well, after about a week, while we are
both drinking the tea, loving it, eating
nothing, and having amazing energy,
Susie calls me and says, "Sweetie, I think
we should stop drinking the tea."
"Really?" I say. "How come?"
"Well, I have a goiter. It's huge, and
the doctor says it might be because of
the tea. Has anything weird happened to
you?" she asks.
"Well, now that you mention it...I
keep seeing seven scary God faces
everywhere. I'm seeing them right now,
as a matter of fact. Hello!" (Hello, hello, hi,
hello, hey, hello, hello!)
"Well, sweetie, maybe it's the tea. Read
the label."
"OK, I'll call you back. C'mon, you guys,
follow me!"
Me (and the seven God faces hovering
above) walk over to the kitchen to read
the label on the tea. In tiny fine print,
next to a skull and crossbones, the label
warns anyone with even a slightly overor under-active thyroid (that would be
Susie) or anyone with a tendency toward
hypermania or psychosis (I guess that
would be me) to never consume this
tea, due to the possibility of extremely
adverse side effects. Wow.
So, Susie's thyroid totally blows outshe's on medication to this day. And I see
God, times seven, for a really long timeeven after I stop taking the tea ...
I guess the point of these stories is that
basically I will stop at nothing and I will try
almost anything to find the easiest way to
lose weight.
I've gone to fasting spas and hiking
retreats, hired dozens of personal trainers
and nutrition counselors, gone through
about 16 gym memberships (now I even
have a gym in my building, at least that's
what they tell me), tried myriad elixirs and
potions and remedies.
Sometimes some weight comes off.
But somehow I always creep back up
FEATURES/
THE BO_DY
____
to my comfortable resting girth, at just
under two bills.
I've always been a full-figured gal.
Chubby. Robust. Ample. Curvy. Zaftig.
My mom was obsessed with being thin.
She never weighed over100 pounds, ever,
in her entire life. Her mom, my grandma
Leenie, was a big gal. I remember seeing
her suffer pulling on her tight girdle in
front of a mirror, gasping at every tug:
"Oy, if I could only get it off with a knife,
this verkakte belly of mine ... Oy."
By the way-is Spanx the modern-day
version of a girdle? Because I've found
myself kind of doing the same thing that
Grandma Leenie did, standing in front of
a mirror, gasping as I pulled on a Spanx,
wishing that I were thinner to make
things easier.
I'm a feminist. I believe in women's
bodies and the celebration of all kinds
of women and our bodies. I'm also
a performer, and I'm used to being
celebrated but also scrutinized for my
appearance-just like we all are as women
in everyday life.
I love delicious food and wonderful
restaurants. Also, I'm always looking for
excuses not to exercise. After November
9, I decided that the end of the world is
certain-so
why not just eat well and
enjoy yourself, right?
I am so lucky to have had lovers
over the years, and now a gorgeous,
wonderful wife who appreciates me and
my sexy curves. Also, my friends and my
bandmates are always super-supportive
and insist that I should be proud of my
body, whatever my weight might be.
I think ultimately the key to selfconfidence
and rejection
of body
shaming has to come from within. I
probably won't stop researching miracle
ways to lose weight and get in shape.
But I also won't stop wearing my sparkly,
skin-tight onesies on stage. Also, I
will hopefully never stop encouraging
women of all shapes and sizes to stand
beautiful and proud, and show the world
some "Big Size Love."
It's also the name of the latest
BETTY song that we wrote, celebrating
how I feel. Please sing along next
time you come to one of our shows.
It might feel good! (hellobetty.com) •
Amy and BETTY perform at City Winery
NYC on April 9, tickets citywinery.com.
APR/MAY
2017
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FEATURES/
The
outspoken
bisexual
comic
isstillstanding
up
forherbeliefs.
argaret Cho proved she
was here to stay and in
full command of the
mic when she came out
with her 2010 Grammy-nominated comedy album Cho Dependent, and, ever since, we've come to know
that Cho can act, sing, and unabashedly
use the circus that is pop culture to protest
America's more egregious inequities and
elitism. Last summer she released her new
comedy album, American Myth, which was
nominated for another Grammy, alongside fellow feminist and queer comedy
colleagues, Tig Notaro and Amy Schumer
(they lost to Patton Oswalt).
If you're not familiar with Cho's on point
and provocative humor, watch her YouTube channel and judge for yourself. It's
a free country-or it was the last time we
checked-and stand-up comedy is one of
the last bastions of free speech. Cho's mission is to speak up (while we still have that
right) and harness the cathartic qualities of
hilarity. While her fiercely anti-George W.
Bush performances landed her in hot water back in the day, they also helped raise
her profile and vindicated liberals who resented being represented by such a boorish presidential presence. And here we are
again: Cho is now speaking out against
President Trump (while hosting the live online Premiere Ceremony, she shouted "F***
Donald Trump!" into the microphone).
The gleeful subversion with which Cho
approaches stand-up comedy has always
been a source of pleasure for her LGBTQ
fans, and, for many women, her bicultural
identity as an Asian-American female who
does not fit mainstream America's ideal of
feminine beauty claims a stake for intersectional feminism. Cho's bisexuality is also
integral to her material, and her routines riff
on some of the more controversial aspects
of sexuality, relationships, and body image.
Cho recently drew the ire of the audience
at a small comedy club in New Jersey for
discussing sexual assault in a way that
didn't go over as funny. But poking around
in our discomfort with these issues is part
of Margaret Cho's self-appointed role. She
announced that fact with her 2002 show,
Notorious C.H.O. She's also consistently
advocated for our community, co-hosting
Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Tour and fighting for marriage equality. She even became
deputized by the City of San Francisco to
perform same-sex marriages there. Her
COVERST
own marriage, to a man, dissolved in 2015,
and Cho is currently single.
Like many female performers, Cho often returns to her body, and the difficult
relationship she has with it, as a theme of
her monologues and routines. She's started two different fashion lines, studied belly dancing and burlesque, and become
heavily tattooed in the search for self-empowerment. She writes on her blog, "I love
tattooed women, maybe because they are
uncontrollable, they are themselves to the
point of drawing symbols of their power
on their skin. Talk about owning your own
body, being in your body, claiming yourself. I love it. When the world is in an uproar
over whether women should have a choice
or not when it comes to their own bodies,
being tattooed is one of the most visible
choices of all:'
Visibility matters to Cho, even if it means
trading on Asian stereotypes in order to
inject "Asian-ness" into the wider culture.
When Cho did a shtick as General Cho
Jung-Ya at the Golden Globe Awards in
2015, she was criticized for engaging in
"yellowface minstrelsy" by The Nation-but
was she going for a cheap laugh? "I can
do whatever I want when it comes to Koreans," Cho told Buzzfeed. "I'm not playing
the race card, I'm playing the rice card;' she
quipped. But she also acknowledged, "I'm
the only person in the world, probably, that
can make these jokes and not be placed in
a labor camp:'
The division between South Korea and
North Korea sundered Cho's family, and
she has acutely felt the effects of totalitarianism. Perhaps this accounts for her need
to be so outspoken-and for her sense of
investment in American culture, especially
the right to freedom of speech. The First
Amendment effectively makes Americans
cultural co-creators. So, if mainstream
American entertainment won't represent
Asians in commercial casting choices, Cho
will just bubble up between the cracks of
convention-when, where, and how she
pleases.
In May last year, well-respected thespian Tilda Swinton privately approached
Cho because she wanted to know how to
handle the backlash she was starting to
get from her role as The Ancient One in
Dr. Strange. In an email, Swinton acknowledged that she was a fan of Cho's and
wanted advice on the "diversity debate,"
now that her film was caught up in a HolAPR/MAY
2017
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lywood "whitewashing" scandal. Swinton's
email asked to have a "private" conversation, one that might arm her with evidence
that it was not a problem that, as a white
woman, she had accepted the role of an
elder Tibetan male. Cho replied with a polite, chipper, but direct email, explaining to
Swinton that Asian-Americans are tired of
their roles and stories being whitewashed,
and that "we just want more representative
images of ourselves in film."
Swinton wrote back in a way that further attempted to absolve her in the situation; she felt The Ancient One in the
Marvel comic books was a negative Asian
stereotype-"the 'wise old Eastern geezer'
Fu Manchu type"-and that recasting the
character as a Celtic woman nicely side-
stepped a "tired cliche" and was a victory
for feminism. What Swinton failed to see
was that yet another role that could have
gone to an Asian actor had been erased.
Swinton ended the exchange with the revelation that she was developing a film starring Koreans in the hope that it would be
"a big deal," and some compensation for
Hollywood whitewashing elsewhere.
Later in a podcast, Cho expressed that,
for her at least, the exchange had replicated a Western-Eastern imperialist dynamic. "I felt like her house Asian...like I'm her
servant...like I was following her with an
umbrella;' said Cho. These comments got
picked up by the media and went viral, and
in retaliation Swinton released the private
emails to the press, and Cho's character-
AMERICAN MYT
,,.
ization of the exchange was criticized
by some. And yet when you read the exchange there is no doubt that Swinton had
the upper hand, was seeking absolution
from an Asian person, and that Cho, given
her vocation as a standup comic, would
inevitably mine the situation for comic
potential when she had the mic. Because
that's what she does. She speaks up.
As she does in American Myth, her latest
outing. The video to her song "Fat Pussy"
takes off sunny folk-pop anthems, but with
a chorus that warns, "Got a fat pussy and
a mean streak" and includes the chorus
"Nothin' better, nothin' wetter than a fat
pussy, fat pussy"-all sung by a gallery
of Asian stereotypes played by Cho, including an old woman practicing tai-chi!
"I Wanna Kill My Rapist" is darkly comic,
the video depicting Cho in command of a
sexual assault survivor/ self-defense boot
camp for women and girls. In one scene,
Cho liberatingly shaves her head, then
releases her hogtied rapist into the wild,
where she and a posse of females hunt
him down for vengeful sport. "Ron's Got
a DUI;' co-written with Garrison Starr, is a
toe-tapping country-pop tune about an
older alcohol-dependent gay man who is
best friends with a little girl. 'Tm happy as
can be, Ron's babysitting me;' sings Cho in
the provocative video in which Ron slops
some chardonnay into a princess teacup in
front of his underage charge.
What Cho is really saying with such material is that the culture we create can be
filled with anything we want. Do we have
to be so commercially conformist? No, no
we don't. She describes American Myth
as "my glamorous and glittering tribute
to family, comedy, anger, fame, gayness,
grief, fat pride, love and hate:'
We caught up with Cho for an unceremonious but sincere chat, starting while
she was in the bathroom and finishing after
she parked her car.
Last year, you and Jerry Seinfeld went
back to the New Jersey comedy club
where you had bombed while doing a bit
about sexual assault, and you apologized
to the audience and filmed it for his series
Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee. Why
was it important to you to do that?
The reason I did it, or went back, was
because that club is owned by a comedian, and that show had gone so badly that
it damaged the reputation of the club in
that particular small community. It's just a
comedian's code-to protect each other.
So I wanted to sort of make a nice way for
the community to re-examine their feelings about the club, go back there. It was
an opportunity to do that. I would've done
it whether or not there was a film. It was
not necessarily a statement to put it out
there online, but the fact that I decided
to go back ...l was talking to Jerry about it,
and he was so excited because he'd never seen that before. And so that was kind
of the reason he came along, that's why it
was something we did, because comedians never want to return to the scene of
the crime, and I think it's really important
to examine what happened. Because it's
interesting, also. I think it turned out really
well. I think part of the problem, too, was
that the material I was doing was very volatile. Talking about sexual abuse in a comedy context, it's really upsetting for people.
It's almost like they accept rape jokes from
male comedians who make light of itthey accept that much more than they do
a woman talking about abuse. And I'm not
making fun of it, but I'm definitely saying
you've got to talk about it and deal with
it somehow and make that OK for a night
out. And that was really upsetting for the
audience.
Do you think people are uncomfortable if
women are not victims, and portrayed as
victims? If they're powerful, like Hillary
Clinton? What did you make of her defeat
in the presidential election?
I think it reveals the deep misogyny that
exists in America, that we just can't accept
a woman in power. The fact that she's a really great politician-she's been in the service of this country for a really long time
and was a far better, more qualified candidate than Donald Trump-it's a joke. But
the fact is, there is so much misogyny that
exists that in a way it's insurmountable. In
her speech where she conceded, she was
66
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APR/MAY
2017
talking about it-it is the highest, hardest
glass ceiling. It's just not right: When we
have a bully candidate who's talking about
grabbing women's pussies, who has been
accused of basically sexual assault with
countless women, it's not right. It's a very
insane world when we'd rather have that
than a woman in power. It actually reminds
me a lot of what happened in Italy with Berlusconi. ..But you gotta make the most of it.
I think that during the Bush administration
a lot of comedians made their name. I certainly had a lot of fun [laughs]. The upside
is that art flourishes, activism flourishesso, we'll see.
And speaking of powerful women, how
do you really feel that the powerful actor
Tilda Swinton didn't see her own privilege in her email exchange with you?
To me, that entire thing was so entertaining because being in a fight with Tilda
Swinton, she's such a weirdo, it's like being
in a fight with Bjork. You don't know what
they're gonna do, they're super weird!
[Swinton] just doesn't understand, and
it's just that I believe Asian actors should
play Asian roles. There are so few roles out
there for Asians, I would like to see that
happen. I think Hollywood is catching up,
certainly television has gotten a lot better,
but I'd like to see Hollywood do better. I still
think Tilda is cool. She's a cool actress, for
sure. She's interesting, and always surprising. But the most amazing thing is, she is
kind of basic [laughs]. Oh, she's basic, that
was the most freaky thing to me. She's actually kind of a basic bitch. That's her decision [laughs].
Labels are important, but how do you
label yourself: bisexual Asian woman or
queer woman of color?
I mean, both apply. I think I don't really
use "queer" anymore. I use "bisexual," just
because there are so few of us. There's so
few who actually use that title, so I like using it for that reason. To me, it seems appropriate.
You're divorced from your husband. Anything to share about your current status?
No. No. Ah, you know, it's weird, because
this is the first time I've been single since I
was 5. I always had something going on,
and I really don't understand how to be single, although I'm celebrating it. It's fun, it's
certainly new, so I like it.
You have struggled with an eating disorder and with weight loss goals. How is
your relationship with your body now?
I definitely have a lot more acceptance
of it. And that ideal of thinness, it's weird
how much energy I put into that ideal. And
it doesn't really work. I don't know exactly
when or where I started feeling it; it might
be menopause or perimenopause, when
you just stop caring what people think.
And that's a good place to be. I feel like a
lot of my body issues were driven by my
hormones and my fear of not appearing
attractive enough, whatever, and these
ideals that are in Hollywood. I just don't
understand it, but I'm a lot better off without worrying about it. My eating disorder
is kind of off the charts, it's so crazy. It's the
thing that makes me do very damaging
things and I don't get it-for what? I don't
really care anymore. It's not useful to me.
Fat is fun [laughs]. I like it.
Where is your hair at? We appreciate it
short-you got a bit of lez cred there.
I did it for the video "I Want to Kill My
Rapist:' I wanted to do that sort of G.I. Jane
moment. Kind of Charlize Theron in Mad
Max, that kind of very tough moment...
but it's growing back. Right now it's just a
Sloane Ranger Princess Diana cut. I love
Princess Diana, so this is a good haircut for
me. I usually wear a tiara with it, which is
super fun. Because if you have short hair,
you can do anything-hats, tiaras. I have
fun with it.
You're part of the LGBTQIA community.
Are we getting more fragmented and
judgmental of one another?
I think there's got to be more unity because right now, especially with the Trump
administration, we literally are under
threat. I think the homophobia is getting
worse. We need to have more connection.
There is infighting, and there's always going to be infighting, but right now we have
to really be there for each other, especially
with the transgender community-talking
about transgender people with dignity
and respect. And that's a big part of what
everybody has been learning in the last
few years...l think we'll see language is
important, mutual respect within our community is important, and I hope there will
be a sense of peace there, so that we can
go after the people who are really fighting
us-not each other. (margaretcho.com) •
68BIG EASYBABES
72THE RIVERWILD
74VOLCANO LOVERS
68
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AND SOUL
NE
WEST
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New Orleans embraces queer women.
BY MERRYN
There's a special spirit in New Orleans.
Maybe it's the unmistakable patina of a
fascinating history. Maybe it's the libidinal
freedom that comes from partying 24/7.
For me, the sense of ease I get from being
in the Big Easy is because of its inherent
queerness. It's a part of America that
seems to have been untouched by the
Puritan spirit. A place where you can be
yourself, especially if that means sipping
a mimosa-to-go before noon and strolling
the French Quarter. This city is constantly
renewing itself while remaining true to
itself. It bounced back after the devastation
of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to become
bigger, better, and brighter with a strong
and visible LGBTcommunity.
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JOHNS
WHERE
THE
GIRLS
ARE
For a steamy good time, Southern
Decadence on Labor Day Weekend
(southerndecadence.net) has something
for everyone, including Dykeadence,
which is the main lesbian event, along with
the dance party Fleurt! Thanks to Christine
Johnson and Jenna Ard-the dedicated,
friendly, and forward-thinking organizers
behind GrrlSpot (see sidebar)-there are
monthly pop-up nightclub events for
queer women and all gender identities all
year round in this city.
For queer relaxation and socializing,
The Country Club is a hidden oasis in the
Bywater neighborhood with a rich history
of serving the local gay community. Inside
this grand old house you'll find a pub-like
atmosphere with sustenance such as spicy
Bloody Marys and fresh Cajun fish tacos.
Out back there's an in-ground, resortstyle pool where you can frolic all day for
a modest cover charge. It's a great place
to meet new queer female friends on a hot
day. (thecountryclubneworleans.com)
Queer women also run businesses here,
and I was delighted to meet Carla Williams,
a lesbian boutique owner and woman
of color who moved from the Northeast
to New Orleans to pursue her interest
in selling meaningfully curated AfricanAmerican artifacts, crafts, fine art, gifts,
kitsch, and collectibles in a welcoming
space. Her store, Material Life, is worth
a visit and exemplifies the motto "Live
With What You Love." And that includes
a beautiful large-scale wall hanging by
the celebrated artist Mickalene Thomas,
which takes pride of place. (material.life)
WHERE
TO
EAT
AND
DRINK
Fuel up with breakfast at gay-owned
Vacherie, a charming and relaxed Cajun
cafe inside the quaint Hotel St. Marie,
located in a street with classic New
Orleans wrought iron facades. The
FEATURES/
servings are generous and homestyle.
(vacherierestau rant.com)
New Orleans cuisine extends beyond
fried chicken, catfish, charbroiled oysters
or shrimp po' boys-although they're all
delicious! Eating lighter is an option, such
as at Mopho, where Chef Michael Gulotta
creates Vietnamese-Louisiana fusion food
in a way which pair perfectly with Asianinspired cocktails. (mophonola.com)
For a classic local dinner, Arnaud's is a
time-honored tradition. Just off Bourbon
Street in the heart of the French Quarter,
Arnaud's serves up classic Creole cuisine
(think oysters six-ways, alligator sausage,
and seafood gumbo) with old school
service in turn of the century, date-worthy
dining rooms. Begin or end dinner the
French75 bar, where you must try the
namesake cocktail perfectly prepared by
experts. (arnaudsrestaurant.com)
There's something lazy and fun about
brunch, and in New Orleans there are
many options. None is better than at the
legendary, female-owned Commander's
Palace. This New Orleans landmark,
operating since 1893, is a special and
celebratory place and is famous for its fine
food and its 25c martinis! Ti Martin and
Lally Brennan have nurtured the venue to
James Beard Foundation standard, while
keeping it an enduring favorite with locals.
(commanderspalace.com)
WHERETO
STAY
The elegant Windsor Court Hotel,
walking distance to the French Quarter and
Bourbon Street, pays homage to European
royalty and you can act out your queenly
fantasies amidst the charming decor,
the product of a $22 million renovation.
Book a massage at the spa, take a dip in
the outdoor pool, and get into vacation
mode. At the high floor Club Level enjoy
continental breakfast and cocktails at
sunset. Dinner at the Grill Room presents
beautiful and tasty dishes such as delicate
tuna crudo and bouncy grilled Gulf shrimp,
and the Lobby Bar serves a perfect dirty
martini. If you time your cocktail right you
can enjoy Robin Barnes, jazz chanteuse
extraordinaire, who has a residence there.
(windsorcourthotel.com)
If you're a hipster at heart head to the
Ace Hotel, a hotspot for locals and visitors
with its rooftop bar, chic lobby lounge,
coffeeshop and music venue. The rooms
have the distinctive style of an artistic
TRA
warehouse apartment, and these suites
have the swagger and self-confidence
of the city itself. There are six types to
choose from, but it's the spacious, loftstyle Ace Suite that had us wanting to stay.
Sup on local oysters at Seaworthy raw bar
then continue on to dinner at Josephine
Estelle, the hotel's romantic osteria which
boasts a menu featuring innovative dishes
dreamt up by James Beard-nominated
chefs. Feeling casual and budgetconscious? Enjoy al fresco snacks on the
roof at Alto. Ace Hotel has it all, including
entertainment, from swing to hip-hop.
(acehotel.com/neworleans)
THINGS
TO
SEE
AND
DO
Get your bearings with a gay heritage
walking tour of the French Quarter.
Glenn DeVillier is like a walking history
book-only
much more fun-dishing
little-known facts about the city's past,
including the powerful businesswomen
of early days and the gay artists who
lived here, such as Tennessee Williams.
(glfdevilliers.com/about-the-tours.html)
It may surprise you to learn that New
Orleans is naturally abundant, with
Lake Pontchartrain and Bayou St. John
providing a refuge for many birds, fish,
and animals. No need to hit the gym;
take a Kayak tour on the bayou and see
New Orleans from a different angle. The
folks at Kayak-lti-Yat lead groups during
the day, weather permitting (kayakitiyat.
com). For less strenuous exercise, walk
through New Orleans City Park's 1,300
acres of beautiful botanical gardens,
including the New Orleans Museum of
Art, and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden.
Stop for cafe au lait and beignets at
Morning Call refreshment kiosk located
in the park that has been serving
locals since 1870. If you've never tried
beignets-the
chewy and addictive
pastry treat-this is a good place.
Day or night, live music is all around
you in New Orleans; on the streets, in
hotels, pubs, nightclubs, and churches.
But if burlesque is more your scene,
catch Whiskey and Rhinestones, by
Bella Blue, the queer darling of the
New Orleans burlesque scene. Bella
works with her life and business partner
AJay Strong to produce
LGBTQfriendly spectacles
with a variety of
performers from their talented troupe
(thebellalounge.com).
Whatever your
passion, follow your NOLA and plan
your itinerary! (neworleansonline.com) •
GrrlSpot started in February 2006 as
a small gathering of lesbians returning
to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
In 2010, when Ard and Johnson began
dating, they pitched ideas on how to shape
GrrlSpot into "a movable and memorable
space for everyone under the queer
umbrella to meet, see shows, and dance
their faces off," says Ard. GrrlSpot went
from "a small gathering of mostly white
lesbians in a dive bar, to beautiful venues
packed with some of the most diverse
queer crowds I have ever seen," says
Johnson. "Individuals across all spectrums
attend our events, and we create and
maintain safe spaces for our guests."
No permanent home means freedom
and variety, says Ard. "Depending upon the
venue, we can have aerialists, fire-spitters,
burlesque performers, drag performers,
live art. Christine and I have been very
deliberate in our work crossing boundaries
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among groups in the city, through
charity benefits and outreach.
We strive to make everyone feel
welcome-trans
folks, people of color,
and people of all ages and abilities.
GrrlSpot belongs to everyone, and
the incredible diversity of our guests
shows that we are accomplishing our
goals."
If you don't feel welcome in your
Southern state, head to New Orleans.
"New Orleans is a colorful bubble
of liberalism and acceptance within
the dark red South, and it has been
for centuries," says Johnson. "For a
small city, New Orleans has a large
LGBTQ population, and as our political
climate declines, and intolerance
spreads, New Orleans will remain a
safe haven for LGBTQ people. Come
as you are, NOLA welcomes you, no
questions asked."
• See one of Bella Blue's burlesque
shows. Internationally-acclaimed Bella
has performances in different venues
around town, almost every night of the
week
• Greetings, From Queer Mountain is a
fun and unique queer storytelling show
held on the second Friday of each month
• Krewe du Vieux-the provocative adults
only parade kicks off the three-week long
Mardi Gras season
• Gay Easter Parade, where queers in
horse-drawn carriages parade through
the French Quarter in fabulous Easter
hats
• New Orleans Pride, the fastest growing
Pride fest in the country, and its party,
Rouge
• Dykeadence, Labor Day Weekend,
for women, trans people, and people
of color during Southern Decadence
Weekend (a.k.a.Gay Mardi Gras).
ftnD
CWllD
Rafting West Virginia's
Gauley River.
BY JILL GLEESON
Of the eight people in our boat, seven
are women-and this is a good thing,
according to Jo-Beth Stamm, our guide
on this trip down the infamous Gauley
River. Stamm, who works for Adventures
on the Gorge, a local adventure resort,
is a talented enough paddler that she
competed on the women's U.S.Whitewater
Raft Team at the 2015 World Whitewater
Rafting Championship in Indonesia. And
according to her, women usually make
better rafters.
If you're into whitewater rafting, then
every autumn, during the six-week-long
dam release season, the Gauley River turns
into one of the toughest, most intense,
and altogether glorious waterways in
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the country. "Whitewater rafting is about
teamwork," Stamm says, "and men are
usually all about competition. They're so
busy trying to outdo each other that they
don't work together. Women do. I've had
football players in my raft-big, strong
guys-who were the worst paddlers on the
river that day."
Teamwork is especially crucial on the
Upper Gauley, which drops 335 feet in
just 12 miles, spawning dozens of rapids.
Stamm spends the quiet time after we
put into the water stressing that we
need to follow her directions precisely.
When she tells us to paddle forward,
we paddle forward. When she tells us to
paddle back, we paddle back. Our safety
depends on it. I understand her gravity
when I spot the day's first Class V-the
biggest, most dangerous rapids that
commercial guide services are permitted
to navigate. It's a roaring, raging monster
called, with tongue firmly planted in
cheek, "Insignificant."
There's no time to do much but glance
briefly ahead at the whitewater churning
down the river for what looks like eternity.
Then I'm pushing hard, paddling with
every bit of power I've got, desperate to
help turn our raft away from the pour over
created by the submerged boulder dead
ahead of us. If we're carried over it and
into the backwash at the bottom, we'll
upend for sure. Stamm, so serene before
we entered Insignificant, is screaming
instructions, but I can barely hear her. The
river's monumental growl sounds like an
enraged animal, something with teeth
and claws.
My arm and shoulder muscles are
burning, and my feet, braced stoutly
against the bottom of the raft, ache
with the tension and stress. I'm trying
desperately to keep myself in the boat
as we're hurled into a series of massive
waves. They rise and fall sharply,
FEATURES/
unpredictably, and at one point I'm
tossed sideways, to the bottom of the
raft. I scramble back up and continue to
battle the water. It hits me ceaselessly, as
if a crowd of people were hurling great
buckets of the stuff at my face and body.
And then we're through Insignificant.
The river settles and I let out a triumphant
yowl. I'm panting with exertion, soaking
wet, and about as happy as I've ever been
in my life. We've bested the Gauley's first
Class V rapid. We've only got four more
to go.
The Gauley is one of two rivers that
wind through the New River Gorge area of
West Virginia. More than 70,000 acres of
the gorge are federally protected, offering
some of the country's best opportunities
for rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking,
horseback riding, ziplining, and just about
every other outdoor adventure possible.
But rafting is the gorge's undisputed
queen of outdoor adventures. The
Gauley, a mild ride through spring and
summer, morphs into the legendary Beast
of the East each fall, when the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers releases water into
it from the Summersville Dam. Its sister
river, the New, is wildest in springtime,
when snowpack melt and seasonal rains
frenzy its waters. Every year, whitewater
enthusiasts from all around the world
come to call by the tens of thousands.
I'd rafted the New almost a decade
before and gone into the drink twice, once
in a Class V rapid. Over the ensuing years,
I'd developed a fear of wild water. I meant
this Gauley trip to cure me of it, and with
each Class V I attempted and conquered
I grew more confident. Stamm helped.
TRA
During the times when the river was calm
she also relaxed, cracking jokes like "Why
aren't men good paddlers? They think
faster and harder are the same thing." I
was more than a little in awe of her and
trusted her completely.
By the afternoon's end, after we'd
successfully run the legendary 14-foot
Sweets Falls, not only managing to keep
the boat upright but actually staying in it
as well, I didn't ever want to leave the river.
Adrenaline coursing through my body,
every sense heightened, I'd once again
fallen for rafting and the New River Gorge.
Luckily, our group was camping by the river
that night and paddling the Lower Gauley
the next morning. Would that satiate me?
Tucked into my sleeping bag, I began to
plan a rematch with the New come spring.
(adventuresonthegorge.com) •
qovtRs
Living large on the Big Island of Hawai'i.
BY MERRYN
Recently, I took an informal survey
among my friends as to which was their
favorite Hawaiian island. The answers were
as diverse as the islands themselves, but
the Big Island saw some big love: for its
distinctive and diverse geography, and
its three active volcanoes- Mauna Loa
(which last erupted in 1984 and is due
for an eruption) Kilauea, which has been
continuously erupting since 1983, and
Loihi, located underwater off the southern
coast. Like the other Hawaiian islands the
Big Island offers plenty to do, such as
hiking, biking, snorkeling and swimmingwith white sand, black sand, and a green
sand beach to choose from. There are tons
of adventures to have on this island, but do
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JOHNS
them with KapohoKine Adventures. This
award-winning, sustainability certified,
gay-owned tour company conducts fun,
informative and safe expeditions in Kona,
Hilo and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Plus, KapohoKine Adventures is the only
tour operator on Hawai'i that provides
transportation from every hotel or vacation
rental on the Kona-Kohala Coast and Hilo
districts, which makes life easier for you if
you are new to the island.
WHERE
TO
STAY
Because the Big Island is big you need to
choose your accommodations depending
on which part of the island you need to
get to. For a base on the west coast, we
were recommended the Courtyard King
Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. Located
an easy drive from Kona International
Airport, and on the historical site where
King Kamehameha, the famous King of the
Hawaiian Islands once lived, the modern
hotel has its own white-sand beach, with
the shopping, convenience and attractions
of Kailua-Kona just moments away. The
guest rooms are generous in size, have
comfy bedding, and free Wi-Fi, and private
balconies with views over Kailua Pier from
which you may witness the reenactment
of King Kamehameha's sunset landing by
outrigger canoe. (konabeachhotel.com)
For access to the windward, east
side of the island, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
is the best full service hotel, offering a
banyan-tree lined approach, beautiful
ocean views, and the backdrop of Mauna
Kea in the distance. The property has a
midcentury Hawai'i vibe and the charm of
yesteryear, especially with its fun, familyoriented Sunday seafood buffet. Located
on Hilo Bay, and close to Hilo Airport,
it's well situated for exploring the town,
the coastline and its lovely tidal pools,
and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
(hilohawaiianhotel.com)
FEATURES/
THINGS
TO
SEE
AND
DO
Take the Waipi'o Valley Explorer, a
day trip tour that feasts your eyes on
the spectacular and dramatic Big Island
landscape. The this tour charts the
northeastern side of Hawai'i's Hamakua
Coast after a mesmerizing drive through
the unique landscape between the Mauna
Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes. First stop
is Rainbow Falls in Hilo, a waterfall that
literally produces rainbows from its mist;
then onto Hilo Farmers Market and stalls
overflowing with bountiful local fresh
produce, snacks, flowers, handmade
local arts and crafts. Onomea Bay and
the Hawai'i Tropical Botanical Garden will
soothe your soul with their tranquility, and
the opportunity to hike gently through
more orchids, tropical flowers and palm
forests than you've seen in your lifetime,
and onto the Akaka Falls State Park with its
singular 442-foot tall waterfall. Venture off
the beaten track with a transfer at Waipi'o
Valley Artworks to a four-wheel-drive van
and a white knuckle but fun, one-thousandfoot descent down into the breathtakingly
beautiful and magical Waipi'o Valley. This
was once the boyhood home of King
Kamehameha, and it feels enchanted.
Over the next couple of hours your guide
will take you through the valley and explain
local customs and lifestyle, and if you're
lucky you will rest beside a pebbly river
and taste fresh young coconut.
For something simply stunning (and
romantic) see Kilauea Volcano and Hawai'i
Volcanoes National Park on a fully narrated
adventure that culminates in an evening
volcano tour-from
a safe distance!
Leaving the lush greenery of Hilo behind
you soon enter the strangely beautiful
black basalt lava flows in Kalapana, a
village completely destroyed by lava just
a few years ago. Walk across the solidified
lava flows to the newest black sand beach
on the island-which was once the best
swimming beach on Hawai'i Island.
Nothing lasts forever, not even in paradise!
A visit to Volcano Winery is next with a
group tour, wine tasting and early al fresco
BBQ dinner in verdant surroundings, then
it's onto Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park,
where you'll want to brush up on your
volcano knowledge at the Jaggar Museum
before taking in the incredible sight of
the volcanic craters, steam vents, the
famous red glow of Halema'uma'u Crater
at sunset. Or you can take the Kilauea
Hike 'n Glow Tour, which was designed
for the more active visitor looking to hike
into unique areas of the Hawai'i Volcanoes
National Park and discover what makes
TRA
this place a UNESCO World Heritage Site
and International Biosphere Preserve.
After a walk through the Thurston Lava
Tube, hike down into the Kilauea lki crater
through the rainforest and across the stillsteaming crater floor. Tarry for a simple
lunch of sandwiches, embark on the return
hike and conclude with a sunset stop at the
glowing Halema'uma'u Crater. For those
wanting to get up close and personal with
the lava flows, KapohoKine Adventures
have added Lava Expeditions to their many
tour options. Not for the faint of heart or
the poor of health, this tour takes you
out to the active eruption site where you
have your best chances of seeing flowing
molten lava with a National Park Service
certified guided.
And let's not forget the high excitement
of ziplining! I am a self-confessed zip
lining wimp but through Zipline Through
Paradise, KapohoKine Adventures, offers
a top-notch, safe, expert, eight-line zip
course that is the only course in the
Hawaiian Islands to use on every line a
redundant double-cable safety system,
zipSTOP automatic brakes and dual lines
so that you can zip with your special
lady. It's an incredible high to zip over a
dramatic waterfall with your gal! Reward
yourself for your fearlessness with a
romantic, casual, and healthy dinner
at Hilo Bay Cafe where you can enjoy,
locally
inspired
seasonal
dishes,
artisanal sushi (try the spicy lava sushi
roll), modern American food (try the
Maui rum BBQ ribs or the taro-quinoa
veggie
burger)
and hand-crafted
cocktails while gazing at the sapphire
blue sea and majestic Mauna Kea in
the distance. (hilobaycafe.com)
LAVA
LOVERS
The gorgeous guys behind all the
volcanic fun are Tony Delellis and Gary
Marrow, who moved from L.A. to the
sleepy town of Kapoho on the eastern
coast of Hawai'i. Their tour company,
KapohoKine Adventures (kapohokine.
com) began when they put together
itineraries to show visiting friends and
family around, and they soon realized
they could offer their knowledge to the
hundreds of ocean liner passengers
disembarking
in Hilo, looking
for
something to do. "We'd drive down to
the port in our Suburban with some
champagne, sushi, and a handmade
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sign offering local tours, and it just
took off," says Marrow. Fast forward a
are
respected
and
supported
by
impact of every guest. KapohoKine
guides are open, tolerant, and well-
decade and Delellis and Marrow now
boast more than 30 vehicles, 100
locals
who
benefit
from
these
v1s1onary
business
owners
and
the contribution
they make to the
versed in local lore; it's through
a guide that I learned historically,
diverse
offices
island.
A
KapohoKine
Hawaiians
were
polygamous
some had same-sex relations,
menu
and dedicated
employees,
in Hilo, and an extensive
of award-winning
tours
that
suit tourists and travelers alike.
Always out and proud, the couple
substantial
employer,
also gives back to the
local community
through
charity
drives and sustainability, with all tour
guides mindful of the environmental
The lead singer of the band BETTYhas
a house in Puna, an hour south of Hilo.
Depending on gigs, she spends about
the black sand clothing optional beach. "It's
dangerous because it's black sand and the
shelf drops off right away. That being said,
it's incredible to swim there. Dolphins, and
3 months of the year there to recharge.
"It's all about nature here," says Ziff.
whales breech there in season because the
water is so deep." For Ziff the goddess vibe
"Adventure and a rougher side of Hawaii.
Rough seas, dramatic coasts, flowing lava,
swimming with dolphins, going to tidal
pools, snorkeling, surfing. My area is really
gay and a half hour walk from Kehena,
is strong. "Pele (the Hawaiian goddess of fire
and volcanoes) does what she wants, you
never know where she's gonna pop out. It's a
place that women can really be themselves.
Hang loose."
natural conservationists,
and
were
and had the
kind if values that we should cherish in
today's not-so-always-United States.•
• Yoga at Kalani Oceanside
Retreat. "It was started by a
wonderful
gay man called Richard
Koob. He is responsible
for
creating a really gay vibe there
and people came over 30 years
and stayed." (kalani.com)
• Uncle Robert's
Awa Club, an
open air joint with live Hawaiian
music, open mic, at the end of
Red Road, Kaimu, Kalapana. "Do
your thing and nobody really
bothers you. It's not a big deal to
be gay or lesbian
there,"
says Ziff.
• Thai food in Pahoa at Ning's.
"BETTY has a song called Sticky
Rice on our new CD that we wrote
about the Sticky Rice and Mango
dessert from there. So good I"
•Lookup.
amazing.
"Star gazing is
You feel like you're
in the Milky Way, it's so close
and bright. Full moon lights up
like the sun and casts shadows
everywhere."
• Visit with your lover because
"most people are coupled off ..
but there's always the thruple!"
FEATURES/
TRAVELTRENDS
READERSNAPOF THE MONTH
QUEER
WOMEN
MORE
LIKELY
TO
TRAVEL
A new survey conducted by luxury LGBT-friendly travel company OutOfOffice.com has revealed that we lesbians and bi women plan to set our out-of-office email response more than twice
as often as straight women in 2017. And because travel makes
us happy, we'll likely be smiling a lot more because of it. Sweet!
OutOfOffice asked 2,587 people about their gender, sexuality
and holiday intentions and the result was that lesbians and bi
women plan to travel 3.84 times, whereas our straight sisters
will do so only 1.71times. The reason for this may be that LGBT
travellers generally have more disposable income and that we
are likely to take
several short trips
rather than one
long vacation.
What's more,
recent studies
have proven that
spending money
on experiences
rather than physical things leads
to higher levels
of happiness.
In other words:
keep setting that
out-of-office!
CJ
>
C/J
I
ReAnna,
California
Emaileditor@curvemag.com with
tips and tricksor fave destinations.
Lou-Lou and Arte are two girls
in love. Currently travelling the
world, they sent us this snapshot from their hut in Pulau
Weh, Sumatra in Indonesia.
Having recently graduated from university in the
Netherlands, they set up
their lnstagram account to
inspire other couples. "Our
dream is to travel and work
around the world together. As a
lesbian couple we want to inspire
other gay people to travel as well,
with whomever you love."
C/J
W'HArSVPNIC?
"I am planning a trip to
New York City but don't
know where the gay girl
bars are or if they have
all closed down. Can
you please recommend
someplace that is friendly
especially to queer women
of color who are traveling with
their partners but who want to
meet other QWOC?"
TRA
Hi ReAnna!
Yes, there are still good
bars for les-bi-queer
girls in the Big Apple!
If you're looking for
a bricks-and-mortar
establishment and a safe,
women-majority space
that offers value, diversity,
good drinks, and entertainment,
then Henrietta Hudson, the long-running
lesbian bar in NYC's West Village, is for
you. The lesbian owners Minnie and
Lisa go out of their way to make you
feel at homel Shoot some pool, dance,
make new friends. The joint is jumping
especially on weekends.
Visithenriettahudson.com
formoreinfo.
TRAVELTRIVIA
DID
YOU
KNOW
THAT...
Fort
Lauderdale,
Florida
Q..
.was the first destination
to feature transgender
models in a mainstream
tourist campaign? The Greater Fort
Lauderdale Convention & Visitors
Bureau launched the campaign at
the beginning of January.
...
Turin,
Italy
9
has been named Italy's
first vegetarian city? The
otherwise meat-loving country
has embraced plant-based eating
as the new mayor of Turin, Chiara
Appendino, revealed it will become
Italy's first veggie city. They even
have "veg maps" for tourists!
APR/MAY
2017
CURVE
77
II
I THE
I L-OUIZ
Test your
lesbian knowledge
with our queer crossword.
BY MYLES MELLOR
DOWN
ACROSS
27 Sexy actress who was in
Sporty Megan
a relationship with Tasya
5 Soul companion
9 Lesbos poet
11 Caitlyn, transgender
pioneer
27 Champion UK boxer,
Nicola
29 Feminine suffix
3 Ultimate
28 London cop
30 Model Samantha,
4 Dorothy's auntie, in Oz
30 Hard to satisfy
5 Make taboo
32 Wade opponent in a
famous legal case
partner for Myra
31 LGBTally, Parks & Rec
12 Hesitant expression
14 Wall Street subject, for
short
16 Sexy Scanlon, dating
Megan Marx from
Bachelor Australia
19 Dodge vehicle
21 Not that either
22 Lively Cuban dance
star
Plaza
33 Former partner
6 Dominate, in a way
7 Tall tale
of Lindsay Lohan,
8 Controversial lesbianfeminist, Sheila
Samantha
10 Coming_
15 Bother
o
s
N,. 0
S
39 '50s blonde bombshell
17 Pro
••
affair with her female
25 That is, for short
German drama teacher
20 Like Ellen and Portia, for
example
2017
37 Airline abbreviation
38 Terrier or Scottish island
23 Sporty Brittney
APR/MAY
35 Vote against
13 Mixes at a party
18 Compass direction
CURVE
34 _god! teen texting
cliche
36 Physique, slangily
who reportedly had
78
24 2016 Olympics host city
2 Cinema date food
Van Ree, first name
8 Talk a lot
Outspoken comedian,
first name
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THE
CURVE
POWER
LIST
-
MARKtTP
NOMINATIONS
NOW
OP[N!
LESBIAN,Bl ANO QUEERWOMEN WORKINGIN ACTIVISM,
BUSINESS,CULTURE,ENTERTAINMENT,
ANO POLITICSARE
CREATINGNEW AVENUESFOROPPORTUNITYANO SUCCESS
AS THE LGBTQCOMMUNITY IN THE US RENEWSITSPURSUIT
OF A MORE INCLUSIVEAGENDA FORGENDER
ANO SEXUALMINORITIES
THE CURVEPOWERLISTBRINGSTOGETHERINFLUENTIAL
LGBTQWOMEN'SVOICES THE LISTIS NOT DETERMINEDBY
ECONOMIC STATUS,EDUCATION,QR SKIN COLOR, BUT BY
INFLUENCEANO POSITIVECHANGE ACROSSOUR COMMUNITY
NOMINATIONS
CAN
BrMADt
INTHtrnllOWING
CATtGORlrS:
INSTANT ACCESS TO
THE NATION'S TOP
LGBT REALTORS
lll6iimlll
mll11'/illl
l lUl;11
ilMlm~;~,I
WHERE
'THE NEW
TESTAMENT'
MEETS 'THE
TWILIGHT
ZONE'
WHICH
lGBTO
WOMtN
DO
YOU
THINK
OtStRVt
RtCOGNITIONr
Amazon
Bookstore
Orders:
Paperback:
ISBN
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NOW
AT:
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Kindle:
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Call Toll Free:
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Email:
orders@
sunburypress.com
APR/MAY
2017
CURVE
79
AprilShowers,
MayFlowers
It's a hot mess of planetary activity with five planets
going retrograde. Get wet, but don't drown.
BY CHARLENE LICHTENSTEIN
ARIES
(MARCH
21-APRIL
20)
Your imagination can run
amok leading to jealousy,
recrimination and foolhardy
delusions. Let your heart
loose, let it soar and let it
embrace the craziness.
It could be fun and life
AMBER HEARD
was born on April 22, 1986
changing. But be sure to
enter any affair with your eyes
TAURUS totally open and focused.
(APRIL
21-MAY
21)
Amazon Bulls are money
managers of the zodiac.
If you have some funds to
invest, consult this savvy
sapphic woman. She will not
put your life savings in crazy
high risk money schemes.
Rather, she will carefully
place your nest egg in a
conservative money market
or annuity. It may not triple in
a year, but you are practically
guaranteed to feast on fluffy
omelettes in your old age.
GEMINI
(MAY
22-JUNE
21)
Lesbian Twins are the earn
it and burn it types when it
comes to finances. She is
far more interested in the
excitement of money and
what it can buy rather than
its long term power and ease.
She is also rather generous
with her possessions. For
these reasons she is apt
to squander her payload
as fast as she can grab it.
Save a little for a rainy day?
Fuggetaboutit, sister!
..................................................
TAURUS
(APRIL
21-MAY
21)
Gal pals want to not only get
into your personal business,
they also decide that they
know what is best for you.
That might be true, Taurus, as
you may be extra dreamy and
impractical now. But take the
risk to choose, even if your
choice is silly.
GEMINI
(MAY
22-JUNE
21)
As you claw your way to the
top of the corporate heap,
you may find that what you
took for granted is not a sure
thing anymore. The chess
board of political intrigue has
changed while you looked
away and partied. Get back to
the strategic fight, Gemini.
CANCER
UUNE
22-JULY
23)
Your world view becomes
more global and maybe even
a bit off kilter. Stop following
the fake news, Cancer, and
get the real story by seeing it
up close for yourself. Explore
the globe with company.
Girlfriends are ready for
anything and everything. How
many of them can you pack
into your itinerary?
Charlene
Lichtenstein
is theauthor
of HerScopes:
A Guide
toAstrology
LEO
(JULY
24-AUG
23)
ForLesbians
(Simon
& Schuster)
nowavailable
asanebook.
There will be sexual high
(tinyurl.com/HerScopes)
8:; jinx aplenty this spring as
80
CURVE
APR/MAY
2017
your heart cannot be tied
down and knows no bounds.
(Unless tying up is your
thing ...?) Lionesses whose
eyes are too big for their
appetites may find that their
balancing act between a
choice of lovergrrls spills
over messily into other parts
of their life.
VIRGO
(AUG
24-SEPT
23)
Certain relationships
may undergo a dramatic,
unexpected change. Have
you been too attentive or
not attentive enough with
partners, Virgo? See which
tight package is delivered
to your love nest. Will she
be C.O.D., fragile, or time
sensitive?
LIBRA
(SEPT
24-0CT
23)
Try not to expose yourself
to too much stress now. You
may find that life becomes
too much of a whirlwind
and moves slightly out of
control. But this may also be
a time of consolidation, good
decision-making and goal
achievement. Of course we
are talking about luscious
Libra so expect more
exposure!
SCORPIO
(OCT
24-NOV
22)
Party on, Scorpio! Not only
will you find yourself invited
to all of the selective hot
spots, you become a bit of
a hot spot yourself. Ladies
want to get to know you
better and you get to know
some of them better, too.
Decorate yourself with an
array of arm candy and see
who tempts your sweet
tooth.
SAGITTARIUS
(NOV
23-DEC
22)
Although it's nice to get closer
to certain family members,
try to draw clear boundaries
with them. Relationships can
be improved but there will be
a point of diminishing returns
and maybe even a frustrating
surprise or two. Sagittarians
with a yen to connect are
better off spreading their
personal oil on lovergrrls.
CAPRICORN
(DEC
23-JAN
20)
Something light that you say
off the cuff can ignite a raging
fire now, Capricorn. Are you
ready to rumble? If not, then
say what you mean and mean
what you say, but say it very
diplomatically. When in doubt,
just let your hands to the
talking. Will there be roaming
charges ...?
AQUARIUS
UAN
21-FEB
19)
Aqueerians may want to
splurge on a certain special
lovely but I suggest a little bit
of caution now. Your generous
heart knows no bounds and
you may be wasting your
money as well as your time.
But if you don't mind being
taken for a ride, go ahead. It
could be a quick but exciting
joyride.
PISCES
(FEB
20-MARCH
20)
You are not only the epicenter
of everyone's attention;
anything you do or say will
ripple quickly. So plan on your
next big move and go forward
with your plans. Expect a
few surprises along the way.
Even your missteps can be
charming, depending on
which Miss you step on.
Ouch!
RADICALLY
FLAWLESS
•
•
•
\
[;very
one-of-a-kind
daring
personality-comes
Tiawless. But smoking
feature-from
your edgy fashion
together
cigarettes,
to create
which
your personal
can cause damage to
nearly every part of your body, can distract
Stay radically
to your
Tiawless. Live tobacco-free.
from your uniqueness.
'
'
See all items with this value
-
..
,-------~--------•
JOIN OLIVIA FOR A BUCKET-LISTTRIP
• Seattle, WA·
Stephens Passage· Juneau, AK· Hubbard Glacier·
• Sitka, AK • Ketchikan, AK • Victoria, BC, Canada • Seattle, WA •
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History & Culture
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Breathtaking Views
CURVE
READERS!
MENTION"CDL17"
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APR/MAY
2017
FEATURES
20
LESBIANS WITH STRENGTH
Reducing your BMI is not as
important as building your
core strength.
28
CURVE MYSTERY MOVIE
We've compiled the results of
our reader poll for your viewing
pleasure.
36
NAKED AMBITION
Undies that make you feel
empowered, by Dani Read.
~2
DATE NIGHT DONE RIGHT
Casual, romantic, and easy
outfit ideas.
50
MY TRUE TRANS STORY
Lucas Silveira'sjourney from
female to male, told in his own
words.
56
FIGHT CLUB LOVE
Meet the fighters who are also
a loving couple out of the ring.
58
THE SIZE IS RIGHT
Musician Amy Ziff shares her
body image insight.
72
THE RIVER WILD
Get physical with white water
rafting in West Virginia.
77
BIG ISLAND LIFE
The newest of the Hawaiian
Island chain has plenty to offer.
2
CURVE
APR/MAY
2017
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
IN EVERYISSUE
4
EDITOR'S NOTE
6
CURVETTES
8
FEEDBACK
10
THE GAYDAR
80
STARS
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
TRENDS
REVIEWS
11 OUT IN FRONT
Meet the community leaders
who are doing us proud. By
24 MUSIC
Have you tuned into Aussie
sister act, The Veronicas? By
Sheryl Kay
Gemma Dart
11 IN CASE YOU MISSED
IT ... LGBT news from across
the country. By OutNews
26 FILMS
Did you vote in our Curve
Mystery Movie for the inagural
ClexaCon? The results are in!
Global
12 WOMEN WE LOVE
Each issue we pick a lucky lady
with a look and a life to match.
13 LESBOFILE
What's new and noteworthy
with our favorite celesbians.
By Jocelyn Voo
By Annalese Davis
31 BOOKS
Bisexual adult actor pinups are
yours to peruse in a new NSFW
coffee table book by Ellen
Stagg.
32 SHORT STORY
An intriging excerpt from the
mystery novel Under Parr. By
VIEWS
Andrea Bramhall
16 POLITICS
Deep thoughts and heartfelt
convictions on a different topic
each issue from our contributing politics editor. By Victoria
78 CROSSWORD
Can you tame our Queer Quiz?
A. Brownworth
LAST LOOK
By Myles Mellor
18 ISSUES
Our in-depth look into a hot
button topic affecting queer
women worldwide.
APR/MAY
2017
CURVE
3
Let's Get
Physical
I
'm going to be honest with you: Last year when we were
planning the editorial calendar, I looked at this spring's Body
Issue and I thought, Do we really need this again? When it
comes to the lesbian body, or the queer or bisexual female body,
we now know it's OK to be ourselves, in whatever shape or form
that is. Don't we? Do we really need more affirmation of that?
Oh, but so much can happen in a year! How the rug has been
pulled out from under us. And one of the most destabilizing
things to affect our physical beings was the digital seduction that
made us think our bodies did not matter much anymore-were
not vital to our social presence-because look at what we can do
from the safety and anonymity of a keyboard. We can maintain
a presence without physical commitment! How wrong we were.
How complacent.
This past year we have learned that bodies do matter: Bodies
matter when we are seeking health services, crossing borders,
negotiating with a lover, giving or denying consent, and resisting
oppression. Bodies matter when we wish to find community, when
4
CURVE
APR/MAY
2017
we want to celebrate, and when we grieve. Bodies matter when
we need to turn up at the polling booth or the protest site. Bodies
become the last site of resistance when order becomes chaos and
the neutrality of a glowing screen cannot shield us from reality.
Bodies matter when it's time to turn up in person and say "No."
Millions of women, many of them lesbian or queer, rediscovered
their bodies this past January at the women's marches across the
country and around the world. This physical awakening of women
is essential to our freedom. So much emphasis has been placed on
how we are seen and what is done to us, rather than on what we
see and what we do.
Jill Soloway made a powerful speech on gender and the female
body at the 2017 Makers Conference on February 7 (Makers is a
storytelling platform for the trailblazing women of today and
tomorrow). The genderqueer, feminist TV showrunner refuted
President Trump's #DresslikeAWoman decree and questioned
many of the cultural stereotypes that women have been
coerced to accept. "Men get to be wholly unattracting, while still
commanding lots of power, because in patriarchy men see and
women are looked at;' she said. Soloway issued a battle cry, urging
women to worry less about how they look "so that we can march
all day and scale walls all night, boundaries and borders, both real
and imagined-inside of the places that matter in the world, like
Washington, D.C.,and the whole planet-and the places that might
even matter more, like inside of our bodies:'
In this issue we meet women who are doing. Whether that's the
remarkable Margaret Cho at the mic calling out cultural injustice,
or activist-businesswoman Nenna Joiner, or former U.S. Marine
Danielle King, who now advocates for the disabled. We also follow
Lucas Silveira on his corporeal and emotional journey to selfhood,
we learn of Amy Ziff's "big" love embrace, and we offer empowering
information on plus-size fitness, fashion from women of color, and
physically stimulating travel and trips.
Be mindful of how you treat your body this year. You're going to
need it. We're going to need it.
MERRYNJOHNS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
merryn@curvemag.com
't# @Merryn1
GET
OUT
AND
PROPEL
has a world
of scenic
exciting
destinations
YOURSELF
SPIRITUAL
positions
actually
WITH
be doing
will have you almost
yoga
experience
with a yoga instructor
and landing
gorgeous
backdrop
ZOOM
VEGAS
YOU
NEVER
you travel
Savasana
session,
THE
surrounded
the desert
landscape
from
Canyon
runs, you'll
last around
line adventures,
try to VooDoo
KNEW
EXISTED.
three
exercise?
Red Rock Canyon National
nearly two dozen distinct
colorful
geologic
facilities
AND
are also available
CANYON.
Why walk on a treadmill
hiking
Conservation
Area. You can explore
its own unique
and
Enjoy the plants and wildlife,
and
while you're there. Camping
for Red Rock Canyon visitors.
AND ENJOY
is on the way and that
swimming,
on one
Boulder
City.
1.5 miles
as
For more
zip
sunbathing
invigorating
day
Take a daytime
level,
AN UNFORGETTABLE
AT LAKE MEAD
at Lake
cruise
Mississippi-style
Guard certified,
soaking
and other
Mead
means
relaxing
National
on the water
paddle
incredible
boating,
ways to spend
Recreation
on an authentic,
wheeler
that
at the
variety
iconic
anywhere
or just kick back and enjoy the scenery
of plants
and animals,
some of which
you won't
else in the world.
Las Vegas.
to start
planning
threewhile
up some sun. Lake Mead is also home to surprising
towers
LasVegas.com
an
Area.
is U.S. Coast
NOMATTER
HOWYOUSPENDYOURTIMEIN VEGAS,
THERE'S
FINALLY
A GETAWAY
THATGETSYOU
Visit
when
trails at picturesque
trails, each with
formations.
MAKE
RED ROCK
see if you can spot a desert tortoise
and soar above
of downtown
BOOTS
you can go on any of the amazing
Summer
the Red Mountains.
zip line across
HIKING
for a little
most
activities.
BEAUTIFUL
DAY IN PARADISE
LINE
than
hours.
Looking
FOR
to one of the world's
outdoor
by the
NEVER
high above
more
Hotel, or take on Slotzilla
in the heart
will
TRACKS
visit
these
GO CRUISING
in scenic
cover
up to 60 mph down
will
Street
fly
formations.
ZIP
at speeds
You'll
yoga instructor
LIKE
The experience
Rio All-Suite
wildness.
DESERT
the four
to hold
new Heli-Yoga
peaks, only accessible
Silent
by enJoying
PUT ON YOUR
on air. This first-of-
an uplifting
zip lines at Bootleg
Between
floating
pairs the desert
ON AN EXHILARATING
Soar through
just for you. Make your
YOGA.
and trying
Helicopters'
of red sandstone
THROUGH
BEFORE
waiting
to Valley of Fire State Park, descending
A certified
you through
Fremont
LAS
even more special
HELICOPTER
on one of the area's highest
by helicopter.
beauty
exercises
in the skies, but Maverick
experience
of four
OF
INTO THE ULTIMATE
EXPERIENCE
No, you won't
guide
A SIDE
GOBEYOND
THENEONANDEXPLORE
Las Vegas
its-kind
SEE
your
Vegas getaway.
find
RONT /
cu RVETTES
ANDREA BRAMHALL
Andrea wrote her first novel at the age of six and threequarters. It was seven pages long and held together
with a pink ribbon. Her gran still has it in the attic.
Since then she has a number of published works and a
Lambda Literary Award. Andrea can be found hunched
over her laptop writing the stories that won't let her
sleep. She can also be found reading, walking the dogs
up mountains while taking a few thousand photos,
scuba diving while taking a few thousand photos,
swimming, kayaking, playing the saxophone, or cycling.
(andreabramhall.wordpress.com)
curve
THE BEST-SELLING
APR/MAY
PUBLISHER
2017 » VOLUME
Jessica Halem, MBA is the LGBT Program Director
for Harvard Medical School. After graduating from
Sarah Lawrence College, she worked with former
Congresswoman Bella Abzug to organize women leaders
from around the world for the UN Conference on Women
in Beijing. Jessica led the Lesbian Community Cancer
Project in Chicago, served on the board of GLMA: Health
Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality and became a
sought after leader on transgender inclusion, lesbian
visibility, and program design and implementation.
(jessicahalem.com)
2
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EDITORIAL
Merryn Johns
Katherine Wright
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Marcie Bianco, Victoria A.
Brownworth, Lyndsey D'Arcangelo, Anita Dolce Vita,
Sheryl Kay, Gillian Kendall, Dave Steinfeld,
Jocelyn Voo
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Annalese Davis
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SENIOR COPY EDITOR
PROOFING
ii:
i('J
27 NUMBER
Silke Bader
Frances Stevens
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
>-
MAGAZINE
FOUNDING PUBLISHER
OPERATIONS
JESSICAHALEM
LESBIAN
PROOFREADER
Jeannie Sotheran
Marcie Bianco
ADVERTISING
Rivendell Media
todd@curvemagazine.com
NATIONAL SALES
EMAIL
(908)
232-2021
ART/PRODUCTION
ART DIRECTOR
Bruno Cesar Guimaraes
SOCIAL MEDIA
MANAGER Annalese Davis
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Melany Joy Beck, Victoria Bond, Kelsy Chauvin, Jane
Czyzselska, Mallorie DeRiggi, Dar Dowling, Kristin
Flickinger, Jessica Halem, Sarah Hasu, Kim Hoffman,
Alanna J. Higginson, Francesca Lewis, Charlene
Lichtenstein, Sassafras Lowrey, Kelly McCartney, Myles
Mellor, Bella Qvist, Laurie K. Schenden, Janelle Sorenson,
Yana Tallon-Hicks, Lisa Tedesco, Sarah Toce
CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
Steph Brusig, Erica Camille, Grace Chu, Meagan Cignoli,
Sara Lautman, Syd London, Maggie Parker, Diana Price, B.
Proud, Robin Roemer, Leslie Van Stelten
CHLOE TSE
Chloe is a 'Gaysian' freelance journalist, media critic and
co-founder of TheFeminismProject.com. Between writing
for a variety of Canadian publications, from The Toronto
Star to Xtra to S Style and more-she's served as an
executive member of advocacy boards and marches as a
social justice warrior (she led the first PinkDotTO march
raising visibility for queer Asians). This beagle mom was
a queer women of color panelist at ClexaCon, the LGBTQ
women's media and entertainment convention where she
spoke on diversity in the media. Twitter @kchloetse
Q
BRETON TYNER-BRYAN
0
Breton is a dancer, choreographer, director, photographer,
and teacher. She is the creator of Breton Follies, a cabaret
production featured in Dance Magazine, and has worked
in TV, film, theater, on Broadway and with many ballet and
dance theater companies in the US and internationally.
She choreographed the ballet section for the viral Hillary
Flash Mob campaigns in NYC/North Carolina and has
directed and choreographed immersive installations for
The Foundry LIC, New York Fashion Week, and performed
alongside the Martha Graham Dance Company. lnstagram
@bretontynerbryan
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CURVE
APR/MAY
2017
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RONT /
FEEDBACK
and Janet McTeer in Curve.
They may not be queer but
they are strong role models and
breaking gender barriers in their
profession. Keep up the good
work!
anger and grief about the
results of the presidential
election. I am feeling
hopeful and I see this as
an opportunity for renewal
if not revolution. Look at
what Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is
already doing with her voting
record. We all need to take
a leaf out of her book. Stop
complaining, start doing.
- Alicia Y. via email
-Annabelle Evans, Sydney,
Australia
MARVELOUSMIRREN
Your Cover featuring Helen
Mirren lifted my spirits ["Helen
of Joy,"V.27#1]!What a pleasure
to finally see an older successful
woman gracing the cover of
Curve. We could use more
of it and thank you for that-I
have been a fan of hers for two
decades and her role in Prime
Suspect was important to me
when I was coming out as a
lesbian and had very few good
TV shows to watch at that time.
I'd also love to see more of her
contemporaries, especially the
great British actresses such
as Harriet Walter, Fiona Shaw,
HAPPYABOUT HERSTORY
I really liked your History Issue
[V.27#1]. I thoroughly enjoyed
the mix of older and younger
women, all doing different
things and with different
talents and perspectives. I
especially enjoyed reading
about Nicole Pacent's spiritual
beliefs, which are very similar
to mine. My god does not
have a problem with the fact
that I am gay.
CORRECTION
Finding Ms. Right
Due to a typographical
error in the article "The
Dating Decode," V.27#2
a website was incorrect.
The correct website is:
TheDati ngDecode.com
-Emma Pollitt via email
POLITICALPOSITIVITY
I understand where Victoria
Brownworth is coming from in
her Politics column ["History
Deferred," V.27#1],but I don't
think it's productive to be
constantly veering between
WHICH
SITUATION
BEST
DESCRIBES
YOUR
LOVE
LIFE?
45%
l'M MARRIED AND HAPPY AT HOME WITH MY WIFE AND CAT.
11%l'M STILL GETTING OVER MY EX!
28%
FINDING MS. RIGHT IS HARD BUT l'M NOT GIVING UP.
16%
l'M SINGLE AND ON THE PROWL, WATCH OUT LADIES!
Send to:
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FEB/MAR
2017
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1GIRL GAYDAR
(
CELESBIANGOSSIP
SHE SAID WHAT?
12
GREAT
TIPS FROM A
BALTIMORE
LESBIANSEX
EXPERT
NEWS
GOSSIP
PROFILE
»
APR/MAY
2017
CURVE
9
TRENDS/
THE GAYDAR
Kate Kane, a.k.a. lesbian
superhero Batwoman, is back as
part of DC Comics' Rebirth
The lesbian-feminists who
created The Future Is Female
slogan in the 1970s, we salute
you'
Young M.A. rakes in
the big bucks as the
first commercially
successful lesbian
rapper
Queen Latifah says playing
a lesbian in Set It Off was
"hard" ... but playing straight
in Girls Trip is easy?
Amanda Knox
makes it very
clear that she
was not OK
with being hit
on by a drugdealing lesbian
in prison
UK reality TV
stars Chantelle
Connelly
and Jemma
Lucy admit
they made up
their lesbian
romance for
the cash
Lily Tomlin
deservedly
wins the
Screen Actors
Guild Lifetime
Achievement
Award
Eva Green
and Gemma
Arterton, both
straight, will
star as literary
lovers Virginia
Woolf and Vita
Sackville-West
in a UK film
Roxane Gay pulls her
book contract from
publishing house Simon
& Schuster in protest of
their deal with alt-right
troll Milo Yiannopoulis
Trans YouTuber Gigi Gorgeous
and lesbian oil heiress Nats Getty
are a hot item'
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2017
The packaging for
Pocky Japanese snacks
plays gay when you buy
two and place them
together
Kristen Stewart tells Donald Trump that
she is "so gay" on Saturday Night Live,
and she has more movies coming out
than we can count
TRENDS/
KIELY HOSMON
>>San Francisco, CA
HelpingOur Kids
NEWS
THE
WOMEN'S
MARCH
ON
WASHINGTON
HAS
INSPIRED
AN
LGBT
MARCH
ON
D.C.
DURING
PRIDE
Drawing InspIratIon from the massive and historic success of the
Kids and Kiely Hosmon connect. She's been working
with youth for 17years to make community-wide social
change happen. Her talent for leadership began when she
was a youth, starting the first GSA at her high school in
San Jose, in 2001. It wasn't easy, but it was fulfilling.
"I battled homophobia with a volleyball coach, dealt
with my ignorant peers defacing and ripping down signs
advertising the GSA;' she recalls, "and yet found a great
little crew of other baby queers via the GSA:'
After interning with the Gay Straight Alliance Network,
Hosmon was hired full-time and for several years staffed
and managed numerous projects, including a youth
council, activist camps, leadership trainings, Pride celebrations, and a 400-plus Youth Empowerment Summit.
Women's March on Washington, a gay actIvIst In New York has announced plans for the National Pride March to send a clear message
to those In power that LGBT rights are not to be threatened David
Bru1nooge, who created the National Pride March Facebook page, told
the Washington Blade that he spec1f1cally chose Pride weekend for the
event because of the number of LGBT people who would already be
congregating
near the US capital for Pride "I was watching the events
unfold on TV and I was very proud and 1nsp1redby all the women,
the strong women In our country who were kind of taking this to the
street and getting their voices heard. And In the back of my mind as an
openly gay man I thought the gay community should be doing something like this to follow up on the momentum," he said The national
LGBT March on Washington is planned for Sunday June 11,2017 at 10
am, co1nc1d1ngwith Washington's annual Capital Pride
Today, she's the coordinator of Youth Development and
Administration for the San Francisco Youth Commission,
working with 17young people who advise the Board of
Supervisors and the mayor on policies and laws that impact the city's youth. "Working with youth isn't all unicorns
and peanut butter cups, but it is super fun, challenging,
and rewarding to work with them as they are trying to
create positive social change for themselves and for their
communities;' Hosmon says.
With Trump as president, she says the future is
tenuous. "We are so fucked. And it's not just the queersanyone with any sort of marginalized identity is just
fucked:' Trump's victory is an example of how white men
and white women are afraid to let go of the privileges
that whiteness affords them. "We need white folks to get
uncomfortable, step up, and take a role in dismantling the
white supremacist and misogynistic culture and mindset
that helped make this happen;' she says.
Some in the LGBTcommunity feel that there are protections in place-we are still serving in the military and
still getting married-but
Hosmon says the community
desperately needs to look beyond those issues to challenges that also affect the wider community: The killing of
trans women, especially trans women of color, inevitably
introduces issues such as racism, police brutality, immigrant rights, homelessness, and more.
• PARALYMPIAN
AND
INCLUSIVITY
expert Claire Harvey was named
chief executive of the UK charity
Diversity Role Models on Feb. 3,
which brings LGBT role models
to British schools to share their
inspiring stories and reaching
over 49,000 students. "An
inclusive culture where young
people can be themselves is
good for their mental health and
wellbeing, and therefore society
as a whole;' said Harvey.
• THE
THAI
GOVERNMENT
IS
considering what could be
the world's first prison facility
for LGBTQ inmates. While the
plans are still being discussed
in Pattaya and prisons across
Thailand, LGBTQ prisoners are
kept apart to prevent violence,
rape, sexual assault, and the
spread of diseases among
inmates.
• ANEW
LESBIAN
BAR
HAS
opened in Fort Lauderdale.
Wilton Manors has gone without
a lesbian bar since New Moon
closed in 2014. G Spot Bar
co-owner Lisette Gomez is
bringing back a bar dedicated
to women meeting women, but
which Is 1nclus1veof gay men
and straight allies. There will
be Sunday football, drag king
shows, and other activities.
• INDIANA:S
ATTORNEY
GENERAL
has appealed a federal judge's
order that the state list both
spouses in lesbian marriages
as parents on their children's
birth certificates. The appeal
will challenge US District Judge
Tanya Walton Pratt's June 2016
ruling in favor of eight lesbian
couples who sued the state and
county health departments.
• CHINA'S
GAYS
AND
LESBIANS
are marrying each other using
an app called iHomo, according
to GayStarNews.com, as a way
of avoiding societal pressure
on them to have heterosexual
weddings.
"LGBT folks and organizations need to understand that
LGBTQissues don't just happen in a silo," Hosmon says.
- By Sheryl Kay
APR/MAY
2017
CURVE
11
TRENDS/
PROFILE
WOMEN
WELOVE»
Jacq
Jones
The sex-positive, lesbian and feminist
educator helps women explore and
celebrate their sexualities.
BY MELANIE BARKER
ON
WHERE
SHE
CALLS
HOME:
Baltimore is full of incredible, kind,
passionate people, many of whom are
working tirelessly to build a more equitable
city. We've got urban farms, arts districts,
and it's actually affordable to live here. It's
called Charm City for a reason!
ON
HER
PROFESSION:
I'm a sex educator and the owner of
Sugar, a sex-positive sex toy store in
Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood.
My job combines some of my favorite
things: teaching people about sex from a
sex-positive shame-free perspective and
running a feminist business. I love, love,
love helping people explore and celebrate
their sexualities. It's what I was born to do!
ON
HOW
SHE
GOT
STARTED:
I've been an activist for reproductive
health care, abortion rights, and LGBT
rights since college. After college, I moved
into working in reproductive health care
clinics. I started as an administrative
assistant and worked my way up. After I
left clinical work, I had the opportunity to
work at Babeland, a sex-positive sex toy
store in New York City. It was a revelation.
I got to spend all day talking about sex
from a pleasure-based perspective and
was able to help folks work to build sex
lives that were safer for their bodies. Years
after I left Babeland and moved back to
Baltimore, I opened Sugar. Since then, I've
been blessed to continue this work with
our amazing, brave customers and my
incredibly talented and kind co-workers.
ON
HOW
SHE
IDENTIFIES:
I'm a lesbian, active in our local LGBTQIA
communities. Currently, I'm part of a
group that's working to establish an LGBT
chamber of commerce for the state of
Maryland. I'm married and monogamous.
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APR/MAY
2017
Choosing
ON
HOW
WORK
AFFECTS
HER
RELATIONSHIP:
Honestly, the biggest impact on our
relationship was the transition from having
a 9-to-5 job to owning a business. Owning
a business is awesome and stressful, and
you're never not at work. On vacation,
I'm checking my email. I've run out of the
house in the middle of the night to check
on an alarm at the store. We've dashed off
from dinner with friends when a co-worker
called in sick. We've adapted, and almost
10 years later it feels normal and natural.
But it put a ton of stress on our relationship
at first. But, when the recession was
threatening the survival of the business,
my wife was there for me in amazing ways.
And still is.
what you want your relationship
to look like gives you the greatest
likelihood of finding relationship joy. One
of the gifts of being a lesbian is that we
tend to not be as tied to one definition of
what sex looks like. We're used to being
creative with our sexual expression.
Adding sex toys to the equation only
expands your creative options. And lube,
of course. If you have a vagina, you should
also have lube.
ON
THE
CHALLENGES
OF
LESBIAN
SEX:
There's a false idea that because most
lesbians (not all) have the same genital
structures, we necessarily know how
to please one another sexually. That
couldn't be further from the truth.
ON
THE
ADVANTAGES
OF
LESBIAN
SEXUALITY:What works great with one clitoris will
get you nowhere with another. Just
As lesbians, we're already transgressing
as in any gender combination, the
the dominant hetero paradigm. Because
key is listening and communication.
we're outside of the norm, we don't have
(sugartheshop.com)
to fit into traditional relationship structures.
TRENDstGOSSIP
LESBOFILE
OUR FAVE CELEBS MOUTH OFF OR MAKE A STATEMENT.
BY JOCELYN VOO
• KRISTEN KILLS IT
In retrospect, 2012 seems like an alternate universe: Kristen Stewart was straight, and
Donald Trump was merely a blustering reality TV presence. When Stewart was found to
be cheating on then-boyfriend Robert Pattinson, Trump, never too busy to offer up his
unsolicited opinion, took to Twitter to express his distaste, advising Pattinson to not take
her back: "He can do much better!" Fast forward to 2017, with K-Stew linked to lady after
lady, and Trump a blustering, inescapable presence. Five years later, and Stewart has the
last laugh: Kicking off her monologue on a February episode of Saturday Night Live, she
intoned, "The president is not a huge fan of me, which is so OK, because Donald, if you
didn't like me then, you're really probably not going to like me now, because I'm hosting SNL
and I'm, like, so gay, dude." Tremendous.
• POLYGAMISTS WITH PRIDE
It would seem that a reality TV show following a polygamist family might not have much
controversy left to uncover, but in January, TLC's Sister Wives went there. Mormon
polygamist patriarch Kody, his four wives and 18 kids are deeply religious, and homosexuality
is not accepted in their strict faith. When Mariah Brown, one of the children, revealed to
her five parents that she was gay, though, she was met with open arms. "We're just happy
she's figured out who she is," Janelle, her mother through polygamy, told People magazine.
"It's tremendous when you see a kid do that." Kody added, "My job as a dad is to love and
respect and not to judge." Amen to that.
• BRANDI'S BIG MOUTH
It doesn't take much for a Real Housewife to spill tea, and Bravo TV host Andy Cohen
knows it. Seemingly out of nowhere on Cohen's Watch What Happens Live, Beverly Hills
housewife Brandi Glanville reveals that she got involved with restauranteur and Iron Chef
star Cat Cora while Cora was one of the judges of her cooking show My Kitchen Rules.
"We had a fling once, then we stopped. She's hot; she's talented; why not?" Glanville said.
As much as we like her reasoning here, when Cohen pressed about whether she thought
there was a viable future, Glanville, who described her sexuality as "fluid," replied, "I did
actually think that, because [Cora] is so cool and talented and wonderful, and then I saw a
hot guy walk by and went, 'Oh, wait.'" Spoken like a true housewife.
• RUBY HAS NO REGRETS
Stars ... they're just like us? In an interview for Net-A-Porter's The Edit magazine, goddess
incarnate-slash-actor Ruby Rose confesses that as a young girl, she felt like she was
born into the wrong body and was bullied for being tomboyish. However, though she at
the time wished she was a boy, now she's happy she didn't opt for gender reassignment
surgery. "I'm a woman," she says. "I want to have babies one day, so I'm glad I didn't make
changes earlier in my life." As to whether Rose plans to one day settle down for good,
she muses, "I don't know. Can you imagine?" she says. "Ruby Rose in a white floor-length
gown and her Hells Angels tattoos?" A girl can only dream.
APR/MAY
2017
CURVE
13
TRENDS/SHE
SAID
"There was
actually someone
recently where I was
"I'm so
in love with her.
She's proof that the love
like, 'Wow, she's really hot':
Elizabeth Banks...lf I'm going
of your life does not have to
that way, I'm more of a lipstick
be a man! That's the love of my
life right there."
lesbian."
Milla Jovovich to The
Michelle Williams about best
friend Busy Philipps to
Advocate
People magazine.
"She is in a weird
position where she is
the spokesperson for Donald
Trump. That's a hard job. That's
like being a puppet without a hand .
... He's a very hard person to be a
spokesperson for."
Rachel Maddow about Kellyanne
Conway. on Watch What
Happens Live
"I understand what
it is to really appreciate
a woman's body, my own and
another's."
KaDee Strickland on her love
scene with Emmanuelle
Chriqui to Amazon's Style
Code Live
14
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APR/MAY
2017
18 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SEX TOYS
20LESSONSIN STRENGTH AND SIZE
APR/MAY
2017
CURVE
15
Pulling Our Bodies on the Line
Why generations of women must invest in the physical act of protest.
BY VICTORIA
A. BROWNWORTH
As I write this, there is a protest going
on in my city. Not as huge as the Women's
March in January, but quite large for a rainy
Thursday night in midwinter. The protest
is LGBTQpeople against President Trump
and the congressional Republicans who
are at a retreat here in Philadelphia, in
what was America's first capital, where
the Constitution was written and where
protest against tyranny was born.
I was not at the protest because I am
in a hospital bed managing a debilitating
health condition. I probably will not
be able to physically participate in a
protest again, which has made me think
about whether and when, in this era of
keyboard activism, it's required that we
put our bodies on the line.
My parents were civil rights workers,
so I have engaged in protests since I
was a small child. In 1969, our church
sent busloads of kids to the Moratorium
Against the Vietnam War-at the time, the
16
CURVE
APR/MAY
2017
largest march on Washington in American
history (exceeding Martin Luther King Jr.'s
1963 march for equality).
I remember it was cold and damp, and
although I was in a strange city with a
bunch of other kids from our church, our
priest, and a couple of random adults
who were not my parents, I never felt
unsafe. We were mostly strangers, but
among the 600,000 of us there was a
connection. We chanted, we sang, we
shivered, we made a statement; then we
headed back to Philadelphia and the war
continued for five more years.
In college, I marched for the Equal
Rights Amendment on a blazingly sunny
July day. We all wore white, I got horribly
sunburned, and despite the incredible
momentum and energy that day, women
never got the ERA.
I would march on Washington again in
the March for Women's Lives and several
times for LGBT rights. For years, the Gay
Pride parades in Philadelphia, New York,
and San Francisco I attended were part
protest, part party, part bodies showing
up so no one could say we didn't exist.
Other protests I engaged in involved
civil disobedience, which often ended
in arrests and sometimes violence. I
participated in massive rallies over the
years of the AIDS crisis, often lying in
the street in die-ins in Boston, New York,
Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
In the 1980s, while living part of the
time in London, I protested regularly
outside South Africa House in Trafalgar
Square for the release of Nelson Mandela.
In 1988, I marched against a repressive
English law, Section 28, which prohibited
local
authorities
from
"promoting
homosexuality" or what was referred to as
gay "pretended family relationships," and
prevented local councils from spending
money on educational materials and
projects perceived to promote a gay
VIEWS/
"lifestyle." Marches and rallies were
menaced by skinheads, and the chance
of getting a bottle to the head was high.
Lesbians especially were targets of hate
and some were injured.
I always felt safe at the big marches
on Washington, D.C. because the police
seemed to be at a distance, the marches
were well-planned events, and there was
a wave of protective solidarity among
the marchers. The Women's Marches of
2017, for example, were 3 million or more
people strong, yet there wasn't a single
arrest.
But in protests where there was more
tension between police and protesters,
like the many AIDS and LGBT rights
protests I engaged in with ACT UP and
Queer Nation, danger always lurked and
with it a measure of fear. Being lifted out
of a civil disobedience stance by gloved
police demonstrates a commitment to
one's cause. It's scary and often painful,
and you can feel how much the police
despise you.
In recent years, the Occupy Wall Street
movement, the Dakota Access Pipeline
protests and especially the Black Lives
Matter movement have focused national
attention on just how much women
are putting their bodies on the line for
their politics and how dangerous that
can be. Tear gas, pepper spray, water
cannons, and rubber bullets have been
used regularly against these protestors,
as police have become increasingly
militarized.
People rarely die in protests in
America, but the likelihood of injury is
real. The possibility of death is there. In
the Stonewall rebellion in 1969, where
butch lesbian activist Storme Delaverie
threw the punch that started it all on that
hot June night outside the Stonewall Inn,
bodies were on the line and blood flowed.
In November 2016, during the protests
against the Dakota Access Pipeline,
a protestor from New York, Sophia
Wilansky, was injured in a clash with
police. According to Wilansky's family,
her arm was nearly severed by a police
concussion grenade.
Women have put their physical
bodies on the line for justice throughout
American history. Whether it was young
black women being yanked off stools
at all-white lunch counters or women
marching to take back the night in
Tenderloin districts across the country
or lesbians battling in the streets at
Stonewall, our bodies have been at risk.
Harriet Tubman brought hundreds of
slaves from the South to the North over
the Underground Railroad. Suffragists
like Alice Paul, who wrote the Equal
Rights Amendment, were tortured and
force-fed after going on hunger strikes
while they were under arrest. Rosa Parks
risked her life when she refused to move
to the back of the bus. Hillary Clinton
was repeatedly threatened with physical
violence and assassination in addition to
those chants of "Trump that bitch" and
"lock her up," which carried their own
violent message.
In her book Woman Hating, Andrea
Dworkin writes, "Feminism requires
precisely what misogyny destroys in
women:
unimpeachable
bravery in
confronting male power."
We are taught in patriarchal culture
that our female bodies are weak and
susceptible and that rape is always
hovering nearby, waiting to take one in
five of us, and so it's safer and better if
we stay home.
But equally true is that we, as women,
are indeed brave and have evinced
extraordinary
courage
throughout
history. Our bodies have been our
battleground as we fought for bodily
autonomy for hundreds of years. But
our bodies are also our arsenal against
injustice. We saw that at the Women's
March-that sea of pink pussy hats with
not a red "Make America Great Again"
cap to be seen.
As I watched on CNN, the Women's
March spread across the country and
I ached to be part of that history, that
physical evocation of a movement.
Something happens when you put
your body on the line: Being there, off
social media and in the actual streets, is
powerful. The outrage Trump expressed
over the sheer numbers underscored
how much our physical presence meant.
At the Muslim ban protest
in
Philadelphia, the airport was virtually
stopped. Traffic on the interstate to and
from the airport was at a standstill. Inside
the arrivals terminal there was no room to
POLITI
move. Occupying space, standing your
ground is its own statement. Once we are
physically protesting, we have effectively
displaced what was there before.
We also cannot be ignored. We are no
longer invisible.
And therein lies the power of our
bodies. The very word "resistance"
conjures the physical action of pushing
back against whatever is being forced on
us against our wills.
At the Women's March, Angela Davis,
one of America's true revolutionaries
who had urged people to vote for Hillary
Clinton, said, "The next 1,459 days of the
Trump administration will be 1,459 days
of resistance: resistance on the ground,
resistance in the classrooms, resistance
on the job, resistance in our art and in our
music."
Pushing back. Supplanting the body
of racism and misogyny, homophobia
and xenophobia with our own bodies,
our own stand for resistance. Davis said,
"I am no longer accepting the things I
cannot change. I am changing the things
I cannot accept." We cannot accept
women being forced into back-alley
abortions or into conversion therapy.
We cannot accept a president who is
an admitted sexual predator. We cannot
accept being displaced in our own
country.
Hillary Clinton said, "I believe that
the rights of women and girls is the
unfinished business of the 21st century."
Women and girls are under threat from
this new administration like never before
in our collective history. A pledge to
resistance is a pledge to taking up
physical space-something women have
been taught they shouldn't do. But as
that sea of pink pussy hats showed us on
January 21, millions of women can take
up a lot of space.
We have to ask ourselves how we carry
that momentum forward. Had women
marched to the polls for Hillary Clinton
the way they did post-election against
Trump, fascism wouldn't be shadowing
our doorstep.
As the next four years loom ahead
of us, we have already learned that our
physical presence unnerves our enemies.
That is our weapon: our bodies in the
streets and next time also at the polls.•
APR/MAY
2017
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17
Sex in the Time oJTrump
For a business owner activist, the erotic is personal and political.
BY MELANIE BARKER
I
dentity and intersectionality are
not ideas of interest to our new
president-who has demonstrated
that he and his cabinet are tone
deaf to issues concerning 'minorities'-so
now more than ever it's up to us to turn
to our communities and build allegiances
and kinship, so that we protect our values
and well-being, even as our leaders move
to rescind our rights.
On this score, the elegant and articulate
Nenna Joiner, founder of Feelmore 501
Adult Gallery in Oakland, Calif. is already
ahead of the game, having opened
18
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APR/MAY
2017
Feelmore 501 six years ago as both a retail
store and a community hub.
"One of the things that we're here to do
is to provide queer culture with a queer
landmark,
because
Oakland-unlike
San Francisco-doesn't
have an LGBTcentered community," says Joiner, who
identifies as lesbian in her personal life, but
has adopted the "queer nomenclature"
for community outreach. "So we're
working with the community to put up
rainbow flags on our block, so we can
send a queer sex-positive message but
also a true, basic-level diversity message
that is a global symbol for acceptance."
Oakland is not without its problems.
Joiner has had women take refuge from
the street in the store late at night to feel
more secure or to escape harassment;
there has been an LGTB bashing and a
trans murder, and vulnerable trans sex
workers have a nearby beat. She hopes
that her store is a beacon of tolerance and
a safe space, or a different diversion to a
bar or nightclub. "As a business owner
who is here 24/7 and always in the store I
want to send the message that [violence]
is not acceptable," she says. "We want to
VIEWS/
let people know what this community is
about."
Sex toys, much like books, are
easily purchased online; but in this
era of right-wing puritannical and antiintellectual resurgence, brick-and-mortar
establishments for both products are
increasingly becoming oases in their
communities. Joiner is raising the profile
of the store by using bi 11boards to promote
her mission and to communicate an
alternative to the establishment's "might
is right" philosophy.
She came up with the slogan Our
Bullets Don't Hurt after the shooting
of Oscar Grant, a black man who was
restrained by a transit authority police
officer in the early hours of New Year's
Day 2009, and then shot dead in the back
as he lay facedown on the ground. Joiner
describes being in downtown Oakland
these days as being "in the crosshairs of
all the protests" and living with an almost
constant military presence. She recalls
one day in which there were "about 20
police officers marching down the street
in unison with their riot gear on, going
toward a crowd. They were in such unison
you thought you were in a war scene." As
the holidays approached, Christmas and
Valentine's Day, Joiner wondered what
she could offer her customers. Our Bullets
Don't Hurt was the phrase that occurred
to her, referring, of course, to the portable
"bullet" vibes she sells.
"I put [the slogan] up on a small billboard
in our window and people took photos,
they posted online, then there were 500
people on a thread ...Some people said it
was insensitive, but it's always going to
be insensitive because someone is always
getting killed by a bullet. You're not just
talking about police violence, you're
talking about gun violence."
Our president and his team may want
more militaristic displays and prefer force
over openness but Joiner is thankful to
Trump for one thing: how certain aspects
of kink-namely, "water sports"-are now
being talked about openly. "How often do
we get to talk about golden showers, as
they relate to a president?" she asks. "For
me, being on the kink end of it, I'm happy
about it. This has been one of the most, in
my memory, salacious campaigns ever. If
it's not true, that's cool, and if it is truedon't yuck my yum," Joiner says, arguing
that such a penchant could be one of the
more interesting things about Trump-if
it were true. "Someone has this fetish-I
mean, man, if you love it, I like it. I like you
to be at your fullest, and in the sex world
I'm wanting people to fulfill their own
obligations to empower themselves."
For Joiner, there absolutely is a
connection
between
politics
and
sexual empowerment. She is politically
active, and was part of the California
Delegation at the 2016 DNC. "I ran and
won my seat as a democratic delegate in
Congressional District 13 (Barbara Lee's
District) and attended the Democratic
Convention in Philadelphia as apart of
the California Delegation," she explains.
"I also advocated to be a part of the
national DNC LGBTAdvisory Board, which
I joined shortly after the convention."
She's particularly keen to see Oakland
retain its diversity, and not see it erased
by the economic gentrification created
by the tech boom. "People are crying
out for spaces that look like them and
ownership that looks like them; but it's still
a business. At the end of the day business
is transactional not emotional, and many
of us don't own [our spaces]."
It's important that we support those
spaces that we do own-and the first
space you own is your body, and
increasingly, says Joiner, that body
might be commodified. Under a Trump
administration, she anticipates a rise
in escorting and prostitution "because
wages are not going up enough to
support people who live in areas like New
York or California. Many friends I know
are going toward sex work. Who wants to
work for $15 an hour or $40,000 a year
when you can earn that much in a month
as a dominatrix?" It's a good question. And
what queer woman wouldn't want to take
a riding crop to a one-percenter at a time
like this? Call it a grassroots redistribution
of wealth, if you will.
Joiner's main mission is to educate all
of us about sexuality, including aspects
that are maligned or misunderstood.
"We talk about it clinically, but we're not
clinicians. I think there's a disconnect
from cultural competency that goes
ISS
around speaking about ethnicity when
it relates to sex, but ignores speaking
about the historical references of bodies
within certain communities. For example,
if you're talking about douching or
enema play-the larger community says,
Oh that's a bad thing. But as an AfricanAmerican woman I grew up with that in
my household as a form of health care."
Sex toys might seem recreational but
they are also a form of education and
identity affirmation, and Joiner believes
selling them should be inclusive and fun.
"Why am I buying this particular loud
vibrator if I'm in a roommate situation, or
if I don't have that budget? I talk about
sex toys from the perspective of where
the person buying them is. It's like a oneon-one class. People are coming to sex
stores for validation, but they have all the
answers themselves. They are enoughthey're powerful enough. It's up to them
to take this product home and do with
it what they will. And so that's what I do.
My space is one of the few spaces where
people get to be themselves. You get to
be short, you get to be tall, you get to be
fat-positive, you get to be gay, straight,
the black guy who likes kink ...You get to
be all these things and be accepted. We
have an open door policy." And these
days, that's more than can be said for the
country at large. (feelmore510.com) •
APR/MAY
2016
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Strong
Women
It's not about weight,
it's about strength!
BY JESSICA HALEM
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2017
S
ince 2001, I have been an
LGBT health advocate. I
learned the most about
this type of advocacy from
my five years as the executive director
of the Lesbian Community Cancer
Project in Chicago. It was there that
I met lesbians like Peggy, who died
of ovarian cancer. She was without
her partner at the end because her
homophobic parents flew in and
seized control of her care. And then
there was Shannon, who died of breast
cancer. She was an artist, didn't have
health insurance, and had never had a
mammogram-until it was too late. My
dear friend Lisa died of lung cancer.
She ignored the signs for months
because she was busy organizing our
support groups, taking care of her
partner and everyone but herself.
Lesbian health is about all of this-
homophobia, access to health insurance,
and the challenge of putting ourselves first
in a busy, stressful world. But to hear most
doctors talk, you would think tackling our
BMI (Body Mass Index) would magically
solve all these problems. Obesity is often
the first thing out of their mouths when it
comes to lesbian health-but it shouldn't
be. What we really should be talking about
is strength.
How are we building strength in our
bodies, our muscles, our bones? How are
we building strong hearts, relationships,
and communities? In what ways are we
already strong, and where do we need to
get stronger?
Me? I'm 44 years old and keep suffering
from lower back pain. As soon as my
doctor described how core strength
would support my back, it all made sense.
Suddenly, it wasn't a conversation about
weight but about strength. Many of us
VIEWS!HEA
avoid going to the doctor because we don't
want to talk about our weight-especially
with a straight doctor. Prioritizing a strong
back and core was exactly what I needed
to motivate my feminist lesbian soul.
I propose centering lesbian healthour health-on strength and resilience.
Lesbians building muscles. Lesbians with
strong hearts. Lesbians whose backs can
bear the weight of it all. Resilience is the
ability to bounce back or quickly adjust to
change. As lesbians, we should see this as
a crucial and powerful goal. Resilience is
built on strength.
I now work at Harvard Medical School,
where I get to influence the next generation
of doctors. I asked a woman on our faculty
to tell me what she thought about the idea
that strength is a powerful key to health.
Dr. Jennifer Potter is an associate professor
of Medicine at Harvard Medical School,
the director of Women's Health at Fenway
Health, and an out lesbian. Dr. Potter says,
"Building physical strength helps build
psychological resilience and a sense of
empowerment," affirming that there is
a strong connection between the mind
and body.
I asked her directly how we could shift
the focus away from weight with our
doctors. Her advice was to say something
like this at your next appointment: "I am
aware that my body size is outside the
'ideal body weight' range for my height.
I'm looking for a provider who can help me
focus on wellness by helping me increase
my strength or endurance, rather than
focusing on diet or calories, which I've
never found helpful. Is that something you
think you can do?"
Imagine if our health care providers
asked us to describe how we take care
of our bodies and minds in a world that
makes doing so a challenge-or if doctors
communicated that they understood how
homophobia directly impacts our health.
Dr. Potter wishes you would tell your doctor
more, like what brings you joy and what
challenges you to go forward. Imagine you
and your doctor talking about strategies for
building physical and emotional strength,
brainstorming together about potential
solutions to life's challenges.
Remember, self-care is an act of
resistance. We are lesbians, we are strong
- we got this.•
Rebecca Fox, 38, is a queer fat-identified
femme Brooklynite who lifts weights,
swims and spins. She powerlifts three
times a week for 2.5 to 3 hours each time.
"I compete every few months. I work
with Sean, an amazing coach at Murder
of Crows Barbell club," she says. For Fox,
training is about strength gain not slimming
down. "I'm interested in being strong and
seeing how much I can lift. Sean doesn't
talk to me about weight loss; his nutrition
focus is around making sure I am getting
enough protein and fat for muscle building
and recovery. He is flexible, smart, and an
amazing straight ally. My gym has a lot of
trans, gender nonconforming and queer
folks working out. No one talks about
weight loss or body normativity. They
cheer each other on and are welcoming
of everyone." The gym is owned by three
straight cisgender men who coach LGBTQ
clients. "We've had people transition at the
gym, bring their partners, whatever. It is all
wonderful," says Fox. Her advice for women
who want to be strong, regardless of their
weight? "Find a trainer or coach who can
see what you want to accomplish and who
isn't focused on how you look. If someone
shames you for being fat, walk out. You are
worth finding an exercise that makes you
feel strong and powerful. Also, there is no
'right exercise.' There is only the exercise
that makes you feel good."
MEET AQUAGIRL,
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0 Maria, 5
2
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r
APR/MAY
2017
Have you met
our other twin
pop idols, The
Veronicas?
Internationally acclaimed pop electro-dance sister act The Veronicas is
like an antipodean, high-femme version of Tegan and Sara. Formed in
2004 by identical twins Lisa and Jessica Origliasso, who play piano and
guitar as well as providing the vocals,
The Veronicas have topped the
charts and won awards in their native
Australia. This past March they headlined the massive Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras party Down Under. "I
feel like Lisa and I have been planning
what we would wear to Mardi Gras for
years! Body glitter is absolutely involved," Jess told us in January.
In case you're wondering,
the
band's name comes from a line in the
cult movie Heathers in which Winona
Ryder's character describes herself as
a "Veronica," not a "Heather"-that
is,
she's her own person, not o,ne of the
conformist mean girls. And these brunettes of Italian-Australian
heritage
were somewhat unique where they
grew up in Brisbane, a place where the
majority of the population was, at the
time, of Anglo-Irish descent and commonly blond.
nto their fourth album-and
good deal of notoriety after Jess invited her on-again-off-again girlfriend
Ruby Rose to join her in a bathtub in
the sexy video for "On Your Side"-The
Veronicas are raising their profile internationally, and we caught up with
Jess to find out what's new.
BY GEMMA DART
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2017
REVIEWS/MU
Your hit music video, On Your Side, has
gone viral and fans are buzzing over
the newly rekindled relationship between you and Ruby Rose. What was it
like to work with Ruby?
Anyone who knows Ruby, or has seen
her work, understands that she leads
from her fire and heart. She is a passionate and creative force and has very
clear visions for everything she creates.
We admire her greatly for each of those
things. Getting a chance to work with a
friend we've been close with for so long
was a total high. And, on a personal level, she is kind and disarming, and I am
blessed we found our way back to each
other.
ate about the arts and creating, but we
have ideas beyond music. We have always had a passion for health, staying
eco-conscious when choosing makeup,
fashion, and food. Growing our own
food, cooking, spiritual psychology. Humanitarian work, our earth, our oceans,
our wildlife, equal rights, human rights,
animal rights, writing and filmmaking.
Since we've seen you and Ruby in a
music video, are there plans for Lisa
and her boyfriend Logan to play a
couple in the next one?
We find so much inspiration in creating with partners. We collaborated on
the music video for our song "Cruel"
with Logan. He has such an incredible
passion for cinema; he coordinated all
the stunts and fight scenes for the video,
as well as playing the villain. We would
be lucky to create more with him on future projects.
I I I
You've mentioned in previous interviews how close you and Lisa are and
how much you enjoy working with each
other as sisters and friends. Is there a
secret to how you work out your disagreements or settle the unavoidable
sibling quarrel?
I think the important thing to remember is simply to listen. We can all get
lost in translation. Try not to get petty
in fights and instead communicate with
respect, give yourself the opportunity to
try and understand their opinion or point
of view. We've spent a lot of time developing the self-awareness to get to that
answer, ha ha. We used to throw things
at each other and scream. We've since
learned that love and understanding are
far more effective.
Before your worldwide success, was
there a backup plan? Could you imagine devoting yourselves to another career, if music didn't work out?
Lisa and I have always been passion-
What's one of the weirdest experiences either of you have had with a fan?
Our fans are the most incredible and
_:::o
<
I I
C/)
I
compassionate souls [but] we've seen
some really wild tattoos. That always
blows us away.
What's one thing on your bucket list
that hasn't been checked off yet?
Finding the megalodon.
And lastly, what's your favorite '90s
anthem or jam from your childhood?
TLC-"Waterfalls."
Babes in Toyland-"Bruise Violet."
(theveronicas.com) •
ELLE
WINSTON
Heavy Now
(iTunes)
This bright, fresh funk-jazz-R&Bsingle is the first track releasefrom Elle
Winston's forthcoming album The Buyback. Winston can sing, and even
better this Brooklyn-basedartist and Indiana transplant is one of us, having
recently celebrated her one-year anniversary with her wife Melissa.We can't
wait to hear more from Winston, whose influences include JamesTaylor,
Chaka Khan, and more contemporary influences such as Lianne La Havas
and Laura Mvula. "Heavy Now" is an indie track that feels like a classic
already,and that's partly because of Winston's top-notch, soaring vocals
which deliver her self-penned lyrics. She'sably supported by confident
backing from Granville Mullings Jr. on drums, Julian Litwack on guitar, Alex
Smith on bass,and Todd Martino at the keyboard. Fansof this sometimes
overshadowed genre should keep an ear out for the album to drop.
(ellewinston.com)
MARIAH
PARKER
lndo Latin Jazz Live
In Concert
(Ancient Future)
Get your body moving to the delightful uptempo rhythms of this excellent
compilation of live performances at Yoshi'sOakland, Freight & Salvage,
Berkeley,and Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley and TRIStudios, San Rafael.
Composer/band leader Mariah Parkeron piano and santur and 8 exceptional
band members keep the groove coming with Latin, Spanish, AfroCuban, Indian, global percussion and trad jazz elements. Parker'soriginal
compositions have various inspirations and her organic, improvisational
melodies signify conservation ("For the Waters" was inspired by the threat
caused by oil spills), culture, and the pure pleasure of rhythm, such as in
"JaguarDance.""Torredembarra" is a vibrant tribute to a Catalonian town,
and a new, extended version of Parker'sexcellent "Sangria" makes you want
to mix a glass, kick back. It's refreshing to hear Global Fusion and World Jazz
delivering a message of unity through the body. (mariahparkermusic.com)
APR/MAY
2017
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BEST
ACTOR
C JGJ
::;;.-----:
;:u
II
C/)
The Curve Mystery Movie
results are in!
BY ANNALESE DAVIS
This past winter we asked
you to nominate your favorite
movies, documentaries, TV
and web series, YouTube
personalities, filmmakers
and actors. We received
thousands of votes and
the most popular film was
screened at the inaugural
ClexaCon Film Festival on
March 5 in Las Vegas. While
we could only screen one
film, here are the top 5 from
all categories-giving you
some great viewing options
for your next movie night or
bingewatching session. The
full list is at curvemag.com.
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2017
CATE
BLANCHETT
KATHERINE
MOENNIG
An Academy Award-winning actor of outstanding range and talent, star of stage
and screen, Cate Blanchett, also Australian, is known for her roles in such films as
Elizabeth, The Aviator, The Curious Case
of Benjamin Button, and of course her
first lesbian-themed film, Carol.
Best known for her role as Shane Mccutcheon on The L Word, Katherine Moennig
began acting in 1999 with an appearance in
the music video for Is Anybody Home? Currently, she plays the role of Lena Barnum,
an investigative assistant, in the American
crime drama Ray Donovan.
4
5
SARAH
PAULSON
An award-winning American film, television, and stage actor, Paulson was most
recently recognized for her key roles in The
People v OJ. Simpson, American Crime
Story and American Horror Story. She says
her sexuality is fluid and is currently dating
Emmy Award-winning actor Holland Taylor.
KATE
MCKINNON
Kate McKinnon is an Emmy Award-winning comedian who made her break into
television with The Big Gay Sketch Show.
She went on to work as a cast member
on Saturday Night Live taking on roles as
Hillary Clinton, Justin Bieber, Ellen DeGeneres, Robert Durst, and Jodie Foster.
REVIEWS/
MOVI
BEST
MOVIE
ALMOST
ADULTS
Cassie (Natasha Negovanlis) and Machenzie
(Elise Bauman) are two best friends navigating their final year of college while making
the transition into adulthood. Machenzie
struggles to embrace her sexuality while
trying to catch up on her lost teen years.
Meanwhile, Cassie is tasked with ending her
long-term relationship while acknowledging
that her life is not going according to plan.
AMILLION
HAPPY
NOWS
Starring Crystal Chappell and Jessica Leccie, this is the story of Lainey Allen and her
partner Eva Morales as they struggle to
deal with Lainey's diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's. The film chronicles their
changing relationship as the woman that
was once in awe of Lainey becomes her
single support system.
4DESERT
HEARTS
In 1950s Reno, Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) stays on a ranch owned by Frances
Parker (Audra Lindley) while she waits for
her divorce to come through. Frances's
25-year-old surrogate daughter, Cay (Patricia Charbonneau), pursues her attraction to Vivian and the two women risk
disapproval to embark on a relationship.
Basedon PatriciaHighsmith's novel The Price
Of Salt, Carol follows two women, played
by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, who
come from very different backgrounds and
find themselves in an unexpected love affair
in 1950s New York. This honest and beautifully portrayed love story received 6 Oscar
nominations and depicts the resilience of
the heart in the face of change.
5
IMAGINE
ME
AND
YOU
After finally tying the knot with her longtime friend Heck, Rachel (Piper Perabo)
begins a friendship with her florist Luce
(Lena Headey) intending to set her up with
Heck's best friend. She soon finds out that
Luce is a lesbian and over the course of
their friendship, Rachel begins to question
her own sexuality.
BEST
TVSERIES
Four women working in a Canadian munitions factory during World War II risk their
lives building bombs for the Allied forces.
The series explores the lives of the women
as they grow and are liberated from their
home and social restrictions.
Action adventure drama based on the DC
Comics character Supergirl aka Kara Danvers as she arrives on Earth 24 years after
her cousin Superman as she discovers that
hundreds of Krypton's criminals are actually
living on Earth.
Eight strangers discover they are "sensates," humans with a mental and emotional connection. While trying to navigate
the world with their newfound abilities,
the characters are also hunted down by
another sensate.
APR/MAY
2017
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PRETTY
LITTLE
LIARS
A group of four friends are tormented by a mysterious person,
known only as "A."The mystery of who "A' is compounded by the
discovery of ring leader Alison DiLaurentis' body and the police's
growing suspicion the four friends were involved.
THE
FOSTERS
This American family drama series follows the lives of the Foster
family led by couple Stef, a cop, and Lena, a school administrator,
who raise a multi-ethnic, blended family that consists of one biological child and four adopted children.
BEST
DOCUMENTARY
1
OUT
AND
AROUND
Jennifer Chang and Lisa Dazols leave their
9-5 jobs, pick up a video camera, and travel to fifteen countries throughout Asia,
Africa, and South America for one year
searching for people who are leading the
movement for LGBT equality across the
developing world.
THE
CASE
AGAINST
8
Five years in the making, this behind-the-scenes look inside the
historic legal battle to overturn California's Proposition 8 follows
the plaintiffs, two gay couples, who find their families at the centre of the same-sex marriage controversy as they take the first
federal marriage equality lawsuit to the U.S.Supreme Court.
4LESBIAN
ANGELS
A revealing documentary that looks into the lives of young lesbians living in Los Angeles. Through interviews and poetry, their
stories and experiences are shared and an insight about life,
love and everything in between is revealed.
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2017
3WISHMEAWAY
The journey of country music singer and gay rights activist
Chely Wright as she became the first major country music performer to publicly come out. Filmed over a period of 3 years,
the documentary portrays Cheryl's struggle, her private video
diaries, and plans to come out publicly.
51NTHETURN
Crystal, a 10-year old transgender girl growing up in rural Canada
and her family struggle against prejudice, hatred and ignorance.
Set against the evolution of roller derby from a niche sport into a
movement with strong roots in the LGBTQcommunity.
REVIEWS/
MOVI
BEST
WEB
SERIES
VENICE
Single lesbian and self-made interior designer Gina Grogno lives and works in Venice
Beach, California.The show highlights Gina's
love interests, family, and support system in
this edgy soap opera romance.
Exclusively on YouTube, The Leslie follows
recently out lesbian, Leslie Clark (Kate Johnson), who is in her late 20s, living and dating in sunny California. She takes each new
misadventure with a grain of salt and learns
about life, sex and what it means to be a
woman who loves women.
Brazilian web series about Mel Beart and Liz Malmo, two actresses that meet while shooting a short film and develop real
romantic feelings while portraying the fictional lovers Scarlet
and Simone. Now in its second season.
THE
"OTHER"
LOVE
STORY
The story of two young girls who develop romantic feelings for each other in Bangalore
in the 1990s. This pure, intense, passionate
love story engages the audience in the subtle
moments of the two women's lives and their
struggle and the fight to stay together.
5STARTING
FROM
NOW
Australian web series follows the tangled, increasingly complicated lives of its four lesbian protagonists as they struggle to
work out who they are, find a place where they belong, and maybe even find love along the way.
BEST
WRITER
OR
DIRECTOR
KATHERINE
BROOKS
PHYLLIS
NAGY
The Academy Award-nominated theatre
and film director, screenwriter, and playwright adapted and wrote the screenplay
for 2015's Carol, the film that led to her
nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
An American film writer and director,
Brooks has worked on prominent television shows including The Osbournes and
MTV's ground-breaking reality series The
Real World. Her feature film Loving Annabelle won the Audience Award and Best
Actress Award at Outfest in 2006.
PATRICIA
ROZEMA
The Canadian film director, writer, and
producer began her film career in print
and television journalism. Known for her
films When Night Is Falling and Mansfield
Park, Rozema most recently directed Into
the Forest, starring Ellen Page and Evan
Rachel Wood.
APR/MAY
2017
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4
5TODD
HAYNES
KARLA
EDUVIA
A Brazilian born writer, director, cinematographer and editor,
Eduvia's work encompasses two documentaries (including Lesbian Angels), award-winning short films, a feature film as well as
numerous music videos and commercials.
A pioneer of the New Queer Cinema movement, Haynes is an
American independent film director, screenwriter, and producer known to lesbians for directing Carol. He often works with his
producing partner Christine Vachon.
Youla BEST
YOUTUBERS
1
LACIE
&ROBIN
Since falling in love in 1996, the couple has been
writing and performing together. They co-wrote
and starred in the two-woman show, Real Girls,
which was later made into the feature film, Girl
Play. Their weekly YouTube comedy vlog, Lacie
and Robin, offers lesbian advice and humor.
2ROSE
AND
ROSIE
The cute couple and DIVA magazine covergirls
are rising YouTube stars who have amassed a following of 500,000 subscribers and make weekly
videos in improvisational and unscripted comedy
while also vlogging and running a gaming chan-
3
ELLE
ISFOR
LAURA
This British couple created their YouTube channel
with one mission in mind: #ltGetsBetter. Grab a
drink and watch how LGBT+life is as silly, adventurous, boring, fun and normal as everyone else's.
SARAH
AND
RACHEL
The Iowa couple own the production company Frame Media.
They upload vlogs weekly plus unscripted comedy, challenges,
travel, and entrepreneurship videos as well as LGBTadvice.
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Ari documents foods she has enjoyed, friends and family, travel
adventures and more, and posts her tomboy fashion looks and
style series on her YouTube channel TOMBOYISH.With a new video every day, there is something for everyone.
BISEXUAL
BOMBSHELLS
DIRTY
GIRL
COLLECTION
BYHEN
STAGG
(GOllATH
BOOKS)
With so much discussion about the "male gaze," it's easy to assume that female pho-
A new erotic picture
book offers exposure
and empowerment.
BY MELANIE BARKER
tographers have no visual power, and female models even less. But is that true? Trained
commercial, fine art, and erotic photographer Ellen Stagg has made it her business to
photograph women of all levels of dress and says she is "empowering women, celebrating
and collaborating with them" through her photography. Her latest work, Dirty Girl Collection, is published by German imprint Goliath Books, and features 420 photos she's taken over the past decade of women who are used to baring it all-including the bisexual
adult actor Justine Joli (pictured above left), also known as "the lesbian queen of porn"
because of her preference for exclusively girl-girl scenes. The book also features bisexual
adult actor Charlotte Stokely, and Zoli (pictured above, right), who identifies as a lesbian.
The images depict numerous girl-on-girl tableaux in which the gaze is up for grabs: female
photographer, female subjects, and potentially queer female viewers. Stagg enjoys photographing women, particularly adult actors, which she has done since 2005 when she
met Joli, who introduced her to other women in the adult industry. Stagg's mission was
to explore erotic material in an artistic way. 'Tm a feminist artist and with my work, I want
to support women -every size and body type. I want to lift them up and make them feel
beautiful and empowered," says Stagg, who has exhibited in art galleries around the world.
EllenStagg
Note: this book is NSFW but it is for your boudoirl (staggstreet.com)
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UNDER
PARR
A coastal storm uncovers a long-buried
secret and clues to a crime that a
lesbian detective must solve.
BY ANDREA BRAMHALL
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REV1Ews1SHORT
STO
SHE
STlllFOUND
GINA
ATTRACTIVE-BEAU
BUT,
IN
EVEN-NOT
INSPITE
OF
THE
SCARS,
PART,
BECAUSE
OF
THEM.
''
Trouble in paradise?"
"Very funny," Gina responded,
but couldn't help thinking about Kate and
how little they'd seen of each other lately
and promised to call her later. "She's just
busy at work. As am I."
Will chuckled. "Hint taken. Want me to
take the shrimp in the barn with me? I've
got a whole load of stuff she can do in
there."
"Like what? Juggle axes and hedge
trimmers."
"Nah, I did that myself before. There
was a log delivery earlier that needs
crating. Delivery driver just dumped it in
the middle of the floor again."
"What do you say, Kiddo? Want to help
Will pick up a bunch of logs?"
Sammy was already stuffing her
reading book back into her bag.
"'Course."
"We'll do you're reading later then."
Sammy sighed as she pulled open the
door. "'Course," she said again with a
great deal less enthusiasm.
Will and Gina both smiled. "Thanks,
Will."
"No problem. Come on, Shrimp. First
one to fill a crate gets to pick the tunes
for the rest of the afternoon."
"You're on!" Sammy raced him to the
barn.
Gina heard the huge doors slam close
behind them.
She pulled her phone out of her
pocket and flipped open the cover of
the pink case with white stars on it that
Sammy had gotten her for Mother's Day.
She quickly flicked through to her text
messages and pulled up the conversation
between herself and Kate.
It had been two days since she'd
last had a message from Kate and she
couldn't blame her for that. She's the one
who hadn't responded to the message
Kate had sent after the last time they'd
actually seen each other.
Kate had been working late and turned
up, after Sammy was in bed, with a bottle
of wine, a box of chocolates, and that
beautiful smile of hers. They'd talked,
laughed, and gotten more than a little
merry sharing the wine. They'd kissed.
A lot. They'd both gotten turned on. A
lot. They'd both wanted nothing more
than to go to bed and finally take their
relationship to the next level.
But Kate had made one error. One
tiny moment, in an otherwise perfect
evening, had ruined it all-Kate's fingers
had brushed over the top of Gina's breast.
The touch had been electric. But for all
the wrong reasons. It was like ice water
being poured over Gina, shocking her
back to her senses, back to reality, and
the fact that there were now a series of
scars all over her body. The beginnings
of a game board on her back. A cross on
her stomach. And a line along the top of
each breast. Marring her skin. Defiling
her.
Kate had told her that they didn't
matter to her. That she still found Gina
attractive-beautiful
even-not in spite
of the scars, but, in part, because of
them. They represented the strength
with which Gina had survived the ordeal
she'd gone through. The ordeal that Kate
had saved her from. And she believed
Kate. She really did.
It was her own reaction to the scars
that was the problem.
She couldn't find herself attractive
with them. When she couldn't see them,
she didn't think about them. She could
forget that they were there, and carry on
her life. The old Gina. But the moment
Kate touched her breast, the whole thing
came rushing back. Just like it did every
time Kate touched her.
Gina looked at her own body and found
it hideous. Untouchable. Unlovable. How
could she relax when she was waiting for
Kate to look at her with pity in her eyes?
How could she respond when she was
waiting for Kate to flinch at the sight of
those ugly, jagged, lines? How could
she enjoy Kate's touch when she felt she
didn't deserve it?
She knew she should tell Kate it wasn't
going to work and let her get on with
her life. She was a beautiful woman, a
wonderful woman, who deserved to be
happy. She deserved to have someone in
her life who could make her happy. But,
selfishly, Gina didn't want to let her go.
She knew she couldn't make it work, but
she didn't want Kate to want anyone else.
Just the thought of Kate kissing another
woman burned.
"But what right do I have to keep hold
of you?" she whispered to no one.•
UnderParrisout now from YlvaPublishing.
APR/MAY
2017
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IEWS!YOGA
Euphoria
ESSENTIAL
OILS
.w,-,
OM
AT
HOME
Transform your home into
your own private yoga studio.
BY MARCIE BIANCO
LARGE
YOGA
MAT
No need to double up on yoga mats
when you have the Manduka PRO Long
yoga mat! With its lush cushioning measuring 6.5mm in density and its extra
length, you will never feel unsupported
or run out of room. The non-toxic, 100
percent latex free, non-slick surface
also gives you the perfect grip for your
asanas. Plus, the closed-cell construction keeps your mat moisture resistant
and easy to clean. A keeper! ($134)
HuggerMugger
-
TWO
BLOCKS
Yoga blocks can be a saving grace for
tall or awkward folks! The Hugger Mugger 3.5" Cork Yoga Block is made with
100 percent sustainable and renewable
34
:
CURVE
APR/MAY
2017
cork-not
from plastic or synthetics.
These blocks are designed with rounded
edges in order to offer gentle support to
your practice. Each block is substantial
in weight (approximately two pounds)
offering stability, comfort and confidence for supported, prolonged and restorative poses. ($19 each)
An expert blend of top-quality Aura Cacia essential oils-including
citrus, lavender and Roman chamomile-offers
sweet relief and relaxation to the senses
during your at-home yoga session. Add
a handful of drops to a diffuser, or, after
your session, dilute and combine with
your favorite skin care oil to treat your
skin to a deluxe experience. ($9)
Visit yogaoutlet.com for more details.
YOGA
STRAP
Made with 100 percent cotton, the Kulae
8' Cotton Yoga Strap ensures the stability and integrity of your poses with its
secure metal buckle, giving you added
support and peace of mind when attempting those difficult poses. ($12)
BOLSTER/
CUSHION
This 100 percent cotton Chattra Oval
Bolster is handcrafted in India and helps
you deepen your poses and relax your
body to achieve a meditative state. The
colorful and pleasing design means that
the bolster doubles as a decorative pillow for your home even when you're not
practicing yoga. ($85)
EVERY
BODY
YOGA
BOOK
Let go of your fears and get on the
mat! So says esteemed yoga teacher
Jessamyn Stanley in her book that demystifies the often intimidating field of
yoga and opens up the discipline for
people with all body types, cultural backgrounds and abilities. No matter your
shape or size, this handbook offers you
easy-to-follow instructions to 50 basic
yoga poses and 10 sequences that you
can practice at home at your own pace,
including new approaches to classic
poses with affirming names, e.g. "I Need
to ReleaseFear"and "I Want to Love Myself.'' This is body-positive yoga from a
yogi who hasjourneyed through her own
challenges and fears and is lighting the
way for your health and personal power.
(jessamynstanley.com/book)•
-
4
SWIMWEAR FOR SPRING
DATENIGHT DIRECTIVES
36
THESE UNDIES
WILL ARM YOU
curve
FASHION
ACCESSORIES
IDENTITY
BEAUTY
»
•
>>
1
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2017
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FEATURES/
STYLE
Queering
lingerie with
a purpose.
BY ANITA DOLCE VITA
Fashion is all about making a statement and FYI
ted to presenting an alternative perspective in
(Fuck You Industries) is a lingerie and erotic ac-
the intimates category. FYl's subversive imagery
cessories brand inspired by the intensity of the
and boldly suggestive products reinforce the
women who wear it. The company was founded
brand's core ethos around the power of female
in 2011 by lingerie veteran Dani Read, an open
sexuality, a concept summed up by their slogan:
lesbian and outspoken feminist who is commit-
Women are Weapons. Read incorporates her
APR/MAY
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own hard-femme take on "sexy" with designs
that are unmistakably tough, featuring leather
details, hardware embellishments and wearable
bondage. She's also never shied away from representing queerness through her brand. FYI has
launched several campaigns featuring
queer
models and/or couples and frequently works
with other queer professionals (photographers,
artists, designers) to build up a community within their industry. This year, FYI plans to put their
feminist purpose into real action by launching a
web-based non-profit for survivors of sexual trauma. (fyibydaniread.com) •
38
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FEATURES/
STYLE
PHOTOGRAPHER:
YOLI BAEZ
MODELS:
ZIGGY AND TEA
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2017
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FEATURES/
STYLE
..,.
Chic 1990s-influenced
swimwear for beach outings.
BY MELANIE BARKER
PHOTOGRAPHER: TREVOR KING
MODEL: DOMINIQUE
DUNN
STYLING: KATINKA SOMERS
Designer brand We Are Handsome brings back the athletic
supermodel chic of the 1990s with their latest line of swimwear. Remember the Amazonian, healthy physiques of Elle
(The Body') Macpherson, Linda Evangelista and Naomi
Campbell? Today's anemic runway standards make those
strong women seem like rarities now. But their legends live
on with collections such as We Are Handsome's Hustle Theory collection: bold and detailed prints, bright pops of color,
and cuts that are physique-friendly. The campaign for this
line of swimwear was shot at Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia-a safari-style luxury beach camp located where
the Outback meets the reef and blends in naturally with its
surrounding landscape. The collection shows off its '90s influences-neon color, exercise silhouettes, and the prices are
decades old, too, starting at $68. (wearehandsome.com) •
APR/MAY
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Need femme-spiration for date night attire? Look no
further than The Loc'd Bella, a life and style brand run
by queer femme of color Debbie-jean Lemonte. A
photographer and writer who advocates for people of
color and the LGBTQIcommunity through her art and
public speaking, Lemonte's photography
has been
featured in GQ Report, Huffington Post, dapperQ,
Refinery29, and BuzzFeed, to name a few. Her busy
schedule of activism, writing, art, and travel requires
smart wardrobe planning to keep her looking polished
and chic for every occasion. Here are some of her favorite go-to outfits for date night. (thelocdbella.com) •
WORDS: ANITA DOLCE VITA & DEBBIE-JEAN LEMONTE
PHOTOGRAPHER: SARA GEFFRARD
/
/
OUTFIT
#1:THE
JUMPSUIT
Sometimes, especially during spring and summer, it's
best to go with a piece of clothing that shows off some
skin and leaves room for the imagination. One of my
favorites is the jumpsuit. You're able to show off your
beautiful clavicles, give your 'assets' some airtime, and
still manage to keep everything classy. I love this jumpsuit because it showcases my curves without going allout naked. Normally, I'd pair the jumpsuit with a dramatic
touch of texture, like lace, because lace is sexy but posh.
A simple neck piece doesn't detract from my outfit or
makeup. Accessories should complement what you're
wearing, not overpower it.
FEATURES/
STYLE
OUTFIT
#2:THE
BODYCON
A sexy body-conscious dress hugs
every inch of your body and shows off
your most beautiful assets. A 'bodycon' dress lures your date without you
saying a word. It gives them the visual permission to mentally drink from
your fountain without touching you.
Don't forget the mixture of textures
and colors. Wearing a dress with metallic details gives you an edgy look,
but adding a leather jacket offers
warmth and takes your dress from
simple to sexy in a matter of seconds.
I paired this dress with my knee-high
laced heels for a hint of mystery. You
don't want to look too desperate on
the first date. With this outfit you're
raunchy and classy.
?,.
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Spice up date night with
these sexy accessories.
E
CUFF
YOUR
GIRL
Or maybe she wants to cuff herself. These gorgeous black
leather and stainless steel fashion cuffs make an elegant
and edgy accessory in public-and convert to a playful
foreplay toy in private. Who doesn't like a girl who comes
equipped to play?
OUTFIT
#3:HOT
HEELS
My go-to when I've been dating someone for a while is
comfy-casual with a hot pair of heels. This is perfect for
a quick bite at the bar or coffee and brunch dates. It's an
uncomplicated look that still allows your date to enjoy the
view. What I love about comfy-casual is you don't have to go
shopping for this. Takethe staple pieces you have, combine
them, add a pop of color, and you're ready to go. The cardigan is for warmth (if by chance the weather isn't as cute as
your outfit); the T-shirt paired with denim shows effortless
style; and the heels pump up your butt and show that you
still consider this moment something to dress up for.
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VA-VA-VOOM
VESPER
For a provocative accessory, try this playful pendant. The
Crave Vesper is both an elegant piece of jewelry and a
strong, slim mini-vibe. Wear it to dinner to make a sexy
statement to your date, and enjoy it as a fun toy once
dinner's over. (lovecrave.com)
FEATURES/
STYLE
Transgender model Ren
works beyond labels.
Ren Spriggs, 23, is part of a new generation of genderqueer
models who are defying categories in the fashion industry.
"Currently as far as an LGBT spectrum goes, I don't really
go with labels toward this or that, I just like femininity and
chicks," explains Ren.This in-demand model and avid gamer
struggles to be accepted by some lesbians. "Whenever I
meet a lesbian and I tell them I'm trans and I like girls, it's
always a massive shock and somehow incomprehensible
to them that it's even possible." Some demystification of
lesbian-identified transwomen is necessary, says Ren. "One
of the biggest things I'd like to say is that in the end-girls,
boys, or whatever in between-people like people. We're
judged and loved by who we are, not what we are." So far
the modeling industry is embracing Ren. "Most people are
very kind or don't even know in the first place. Modeling has
helped me to become more confident and comfortable
within my own skin by offering me life experiences."
Follow Ren on lnstagram @RenBeep
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FEAiTURES/
BEAUTY
::._
...l"'-=---1 =--
EXFOLIATION
OUT
OF
OHIO
The OY-LBody Scrub was designed by a mom
from Akron, Ohio on a mission against harmful
chemicals in skincare products. The gorgeous
pink Himalayan salt infused with natural and
essential oils offers your body a soothing and
relaxing scrub when added with a little water
and applied in circles to your skin. (oy-1.com)
tavido :;-, ...,
Ulr ..
ll
8<
FROM
THE
GALILEE
VALLEY
Created by an Israeliherbalist,Thera-lntensive
Body Cream by Lavido is a blend of natural
aromatherapeutic and organic tea tree,
lavender and cold-pressed black cumin
seeds oils. Made with the best raw ingredients
available,this dermatologically safe cream
restores even the driest skin. (lavido.com)
SOUTH
AMERICAN
SCRUB
Made with organic and
natural ingredients such as
coconut bark which removes
Safe and natural beauty products for every body.
dead skin cells, Amazonian
white clay which enhances
exfoliation, and organic Aloe
Verajuice which hydrates,
Are you a city girl with a toe in the country?
and have numerous uses instead of just
Do you love the stimulation of an urban
one. Cruelty-free, vegan, organic, gentle
environment
but long for a greener life?
enough for all bodies (including their 3-year-
Perhaps you'd like herbal spa time at home?
old daughter Kendall) the Limegreen range
Skincare mavens and
Sapien Women Body Scrub
is an earthy and restorative
experience for your skin.
(suryabrasilproducts.com)
Brooklyn couple
includes a multi-use balm that works from
Talima Davis and Allison Lamb have you
tip to toe; conditioning soaps for hair, face,
PLANT
ATREE
WITH
EMERGINC
covered! When they wanted to help a
body and hands; body oils that remove
Scientific Organics emerginC
friend suffering from cancer caused by
makeup while nourishing your skin; natural
Coconut-Argan Body Oil
environmental
scented candles that melt into massage oil;
toxins, Davis recalled her
grandmother's
farm
where
remedies
home
in North
and
Carolina
a natural
and a body mist that is also an air and linen
freshener-plus,
these products are pocket-
approach to living and healing were part of
sized, making them perfect for travel or
everyday life. To help their friend, Davis and
thoughtful
Lamb created natural, nontoxic skincare
taking notice: Limegreen has already been
products in their Brooklyn apartment, and
featured in Better Homes & Gardens, on
gifts. And the beauty biz is
when demand grew, the Limegreen brand
MarthaStewart.com,
was born: products that are eco-conscious,
(brooklynlimegreen.com)
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2017
and Project Runway.
is made with one hundred
percent botanical extracts
to soothe and soften all skin
types. Use after a shower,
sun exposure, or for a gentle
massage. For every product
purchased, emerginC plants
an indigenous tree in a nonharvest location around the
world. (emerginc.com)
50LUCASSILVEIRAARRIVES
60SOPHIE B. IS BACK
62MORE MARGARETCHO
curve
COMMUNITY
CELEBRITY
CULTURE
»
48
DANCING FOR EQUALITY
>>
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I
identify as an artist, representing
evolution and creation without limits.
I approach my sexuality the same
way: it's about what I like at any given
moment, and is not limited by gender. My
identity is not defined by the physical-my
haircut, eye color, gender, whom I sleep
with-but by my emotional existence and
contribution to the world through my art.
That being said, visibility is a high priority,
whether you're changing the planet, or
bringing pride to a community where
people are still fighting to walk down
the street holding hands without facing
harassment or violence.
For me, this creates a "no more excuses
clause" to share and shine who I am. I'm
-
------
a performer, a chameleon, and I relish
the malleability that comes with that role.
"Bi" is for me a limiting word, but it clearly
communicates to others my appreciation
of all. I see beauty everywhere. At times,
my relationship to the lesbian/queer
women's community feels private, tribal,
akin to a club that I celebrate within myself
and with close friends. I'm still exploring
this relationship through the development
of my work, addressing expected norms of
behavior for women and the inescapable
currency society places on our bodies. I
love that the work I create connects me
with women, while exploring universal
themes of life and love.
As a child, I never felt I was woman or
-
.........._.
..
--
;..,-:
..
f',J..r
,:
-_-
-
...
', ....
..
,
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J!..
...:
- ·-~
FEATURES/
man, but aligned with the animal energies
of bird and lion. I feel the same today. I
was and am still obsessed with animal
behaviors and movement. My first word
was "bird," and that's how I felt inside, as
a child and today. My early awareness of
my body came from intense experiences
with nature-running barefoot in the snow,
spilling boiling water on myself in the
kitchen, feeling moonlight on my face.
Movement was a necessary way to express
myself, then and now, a daily purge of all
the different characters inside me. Even in
preschool, I don't remember holding on to
the designation or behaviors of "girl:' I just
desperately needed to move.
I played a lot of sports as a child but
begged my parents to enroll me in serious
ballet classes, which they did when I
was 8. I went every day in a leotard and
socks. I was never the skinny kid or the
wealthy kid. I just wanted to learn, and
that hunger has driven and continues
to drive me through situations that have
made me uncomfortable or unwelcome. I
needed to know.
As a teenager and through my 20s I had
a challenging and hateful relationship with
my body because of the classical dance
environment I grew up in. I was raised in
front of a mirror, constantly addressing
every angle and flaw. For a time, I didn't
want to have breasts or hips; I wanted to
be less-which reflects on how society
and the ballet world attempt to strip
women of their power and identity, be
smaller, be thinner, be quieter, so that a
male dominated field remains in control."
But curves are power-on stage, on the
street, and in the bedroom. They demand
attention.
My athletic body type has weathered
years of dancing, and I'm lucky. My
"disadvantages" are now strengths. At its
core, ballet is a brilliant system of energy,
geometry, and physics applied to the
physical form, and I have had the capacity
to see past its negative cultural norms. I
had to be twice as good as everyone else
because of my size, so I put my head down
and got to work. I changed people's minds
about what a ballet line looks like and
who could be included. I never wanted to
belong, but am now welcome. I continue
to explore myself as a producer through
films, theater, and my cabaret show,
Breton Follies, where I focus specifically
on the celebration of the female form.
The biggest obstacle in any situation is
overcoming the opinions of other people,
such as the director who says, "We can't
hire you because there are no men big
enough to partner you. You're too much:'
I've had dance partners who are fantastic
and it has nothing to do with size. You
can win people over with your talent and
passion, and New York City is a great place
to be "too much." When in doubt, start your
own company and write your own rules.
There is nothing like dancing and acting
alongside people who love and support
the work that you collectively are making,
to music that moves your soul, in costumes
you love, which I discovered only when I
was forced to make my own work. Dancers
have limited time to do what they love. But
there is no limit to what they will give when
embraced for who they are.
I have had my low points. At 22, I was
so sick with burned-out adrenals and years
of anorexia I remember barely having the
strength to walk upstairs. I was destroying
my body and soul to fit into a mold that
wasn't me. I wasn't listening; I was pushing
myself without being honest. I've been
surrounded by grief and anger most of
my life, and I've finally learned to let it
out, to feel those emotions, and my work
is an avenue for that. The low points I've
experienced were catalysts for change,
and a redirection of my health and my art.
Health is the measure of loving your
body. I have work to make, and I need to
take good care of my body to continue to
do what I love. I thank my body for being
able to dance every day, to swim, to do
yoga, to communicate with my students
and collaborators. I've spent enough time
playing with nutrition to learn the foods
that fuel me and to appreciate them. I've
come to own the power of my body as
an athlete and a woman. I have very little
attachment to how I look now. I'm most
happy when I'm creating, and I know that
my life would be dark without it.
The message of my work is that women
can be anything. I don't feel restricted by
THE BO_DY
____
gender or body image, and my strength
and visibility are necessary to encourage
other women to be who they are in a maledominated world.
My lesbian-themed work, Tanguito, was
the first piece I made in New York City, and
it felt like a huge risk in terms of content,
styling, music, and choreography. Playing
a lesbian character scared me, so I knew
I had to go for it. My dear friend and
collaborator Catherine Correa approached
me one day and said, "B, you're going
downhill, we have to get in the studio and
do something." So we did and decided
to make a love story, which gave us the
broadest palette of human emotion to play
with. We worked from a place of emotional
motivation, and that determined
the
movement. Working with Catherine is like
working with Chanel-there's no room
for nonessentials. Last year, we adapted
Tanguito for film; it's set to be released
this spring. Relationships are universally
messy, so we wanted to show all sides
of a love affair. A sex scene with two
women in conservative gowns from the
1930s definitely lends itself to comedic
interpretations. I wanted to exaggerate
"scissoring" as a limited view of lesbian
sex and sensuality, by pronouncing it
physically to my audience.
Established cultural norms should never
be an excuse for lack of curiosity. I think
we need to come together as a society
and speak to one another. Women need
to turn to one another with support and
love. A lot of body hate is propelled by
the perceived power of the male gaze.
Break that construct and opinions become
irrelevant.•
I
have spent most of the last 10 years
waking up to the reality that I am a
man who used to be a woman and
processing the weight of what that means.
Many trans people cringe at the statement,
believing it demeans my true identity by
recognizing that my male gender is not
innate. The implication is that as an out
and public trans person I somehow hold
a responsibility to stick to the party line:
I am and have always been a "man." But I
don't identify with that narrative and will no
longer accept the imposition of it.
I've spent years doubting my manhood
because of perceived notions of my
identity, particularly within the LGBTQ
community. It took years of self-doubt,
internalized oppression, self-victimization,
and hitting rock bottom in my personal
life to finally accept spiritual integration
and the complete embodiment of my
manhood into a body that had once been
female.
I have lived my life publicly as a trans
person since my band, The Cliks, got
signed to a major-label record deal,
making me the first out transgender male
in history to have accomplished such a
feat. Along with praise for the music, we
received immediate attention from both
the mainstream and the LGBTQmedia.
Although I was 32 years old, I was green
as a person, as a trans man, and as a music
industry professional. I was coming into
an identity with zero understanding of
what that meant within my community. I
essentially grew up in the public eye when
visibility for trans people was next to nil.
I was called brave and simultaneously
criticized for not being the right kind of
representative-a common and frustrating
issue for any public trans person. We can
only take responsibility for representing
ourselves, as we cannot possibly embody
all narratives within such a diverse
community. To further complicate the
issue, I transitioned without hormones, for
fear of losing my singing voice. Unable to
reconcile the risk, I moved ahead with top
surgery as my only physical transition, so
most people still perceived me as female.
As The Cliks grew in popularity, our
opportunities increased as well. We
were asked to be part of Cyndi Lauper's
True Colors tour, which resulted in more
media attention, endless touring, many
TV appearances and magazine covers. I
suddenly had everything I had ever wanted,
yet found myself more disconnected than
I had ever been. I felt invisible and only felt
grounded when drunk. I have an odd sense
of functionality while drunk, so I often
passed as sober. No one was the wiser,
even when I was two bottles of wine in.
FEATURES/
After three years of nonstop touring,
and just before we headed into the studio
to record our second major-label release,
I ended up in bed for weeks with stressinduced narcolepsy. I was silently suicidal.
Silent because of the responsibility I felt
to the younger trans people who would
come to our shows to tell me I had
saved their lives, which not only created
unnerving pressure but made me feel like
an ungrateful asshole.
My gender dysphoria peaked as I
increasingly felt invisible as a male in front
of thousands of people calling me Lucas.
When my silent suicidal ideations wouldn't
stop, I knew something had to change.
The need to integrate my gender, body,
and soul was becoming necessary for my
survival.
As the universe has a way of knowing
when it's time for change, merely two
weeks after we released our second
album, the band quit, which led me to fire
my manager. I was left alone on a label
that now showed little interest in keeping
the band going, even though I had quickly
and seamlessly found new band mates and
management. I listened to the space the
universe was creating and I resolved to
start hormone therapy. I told no one but
my partner and a few friends.
Soon after the grips of testosterone
began to take hold, the label dropped me
and new management lost interest. My
trans identity, once a tool to exploit, was no
longer convenient. The physical and vocal
changes had suddenly shifted everyone's
energy toward me; even my partner
began to perceive me in a way that I can
only describe as foreign. After five years
together, I broke up with her five months
into hormone therapy.
I didn't fight for my label, my manager,
or my relationship. I felt I had built enough
of an audience and a personal support
system in the LGBTQcommunity to propel
me forward as an independent musician
and as a post-hormonal male.
I was wrong.
When I became visibly masculine, my
primarily female and lesbian audience
vanished. I blamed them for the decline
in my career. When I realized that my
physical transformation had made women
feel alienated from me, I felt as betrayed by
them as they probably did by me. I started
to believe that my feelings of invisibility
were a result of being gaslighted by my
audience, my label, my management, my
band, and my partners. I became intensely
aware of my marginalization, and I became
so enraged with my loss that my struggle
became my identity.
Everyone tells you about the physical
aspects of transitioning, but no one can
prepare you for the emotional process,
especially the loss and grief.
I lost many friends and a lesbian
community that I had been a part of for
years, a community that had accepted
me as a trans man for the last five. I was
no longer welcomed in their spaces. I
was no longer allowed to be passionate,
loud, upset, or angry because it was often
misconstrued as aggression, whereas
before it was understood as just my
personality. But with a deep voice and facial
hair, just being me became unacceptable.
People often righteously call out toxic
masculinity. I take no issue with that.
But check yourself when you demonize
masculinity overall because you personally
have a traumatic narrative attached to it, a
narrative that you have not yet unpacked
and laid to rest. Guilty of having done this
as a female, I now, as a male, understand
that not all masculinity is toxic, and to
treat it as such is inherently violent and
can dangerously alienate those who
have a very different socialization and a
marginalized identity within masculinity.
Told I no longer had permission to access
my female socialization, I internalized so
much oppression from within the LGBTQ
community that I allowed it to poison my
perspective, and my identity became
fragmented. My therapist felt I was in
danger because this forced separation
in identities created dissociation from
the experiences and the trauma I had
undergone as a female, experiences
she felt were vital to my integration as a
whole person. But my anger and sense of
victimization consumed me. It was spiritual
warfare and I was losing.
Once again, invisibility ensued, as
did my self-destructive behavior when
I willingly allowed the perceptions of
others to control how I felt about myself.
I was tired and decided to leave Toronto.
Needing anonymity, I moved to Brooklyn.
By the time my singing voice finally
settled, I had written the best songs of my
life; after pining, I eventually ended up in
a short yet impactful relationship with a
woman named Katie who served as one
THE BO_DY
____
of my most revered muses. Then I moved
back to Toronto and met the person who
became the greatest love of my life and
eventually my wife.
When I met Skye, I had just gotten
my head above water. I was healthier
emotionally and physically than I had ever
been, but I was not yet integrated. She
made me feel seen in a way that led me to
falling in love with her deeper than I had
with anyone before.
Our love was grand until our personal
traumas and identities impacted, resulting
in an explosive, fiery crash that tossed
our limp bodies through the windshield,
scattering our remains aimlessly over
pavement. Neither one of us realized
what had happened. We were best friends
and loved each other intensely, having
bonded through trauma and our own
personal victimization. This resulted in
an "us against them" mentality that kept
both of us feeling we were all the other
one had, and so we became emotionally
co-dependent. Regrettably, our personal
pain became all we had in common, and it
competed for attention in the relationship.
As a result, neither of us had the capacity
to be present or supportive to the other, or
to ourselves.
As Skye dissociated from her pain as
a survival skill, she became increasingly
cruel. I, on the other hand, sank into her
pain for company as a means to avoid my
own. Eventually, my self-loathing, my lack
of self-respect and self-care became so
physically and emotionally visible that this
in itself became a form of cruelty. I often
wonder if this left her feeling a sense of
abandonment.
I should have walked away from her hurt,
from my own, but I didn't, even though I
knew it was killing me. Like a coward, I
didn't want the burden of regret. I had also
buried my identity so deeply within her
validation of it that I felt I would disappear
without her.
She finally had the courage to leave, and
even though I initially hated her for it, I have
come to love her deeply for the action, as I
recognize that it was the most loving thing
she could have done for me, and ever has.
It has been through mourning the loss
of our relationship and my obsession to
understand what happened between us,
__
FEATURES/
___,
THE BODY
as well as my need to fully understand her
as a whole human being, that I have gained
the deepest insight into myself that I've
ever known.
Just over a month after she left, I hit
rock bottom, after getting the news that I
might possibly have cancer. My self-harm
became acute. My clinical depression
progressed as I awaited confirmation of my
final diagnosis, which made me drink more
and smoke more-my chosen methods of
self-harm.
After an evening of manic behavior
brought on by feelings of abandonment
and hopelessness, and further aided by
a massive drinking binge, I found myself
standing in my kitchen, awoken from what
felt like a sleepwalking blackout, with a
half-empty magnum of wine in one hand, a
handful of pills in the other, and a mouthful
of disintegrating valium halfway down my
throat. What woke me was hearing a calm
voice say, "Lucas. Wake up. Save yourself.
Call the police:' And so I did.
I didn't know it at the time, but making
the choice to live that day was my first step
in realizing my personal power. Power that
I never knew existed, as I had given it away
to my personal victimization. Thankfully, I
didn't have cancer, and as time passed, I
began to understand that the main reason
I had never integrated fully was because
I was resigned to the belief that I had no
power. I believed that I had no control over
how I felt about my marginalization, my
oppression. I internalized it and allowed
it to become my identity, and in doing
so I gave control to the oppressor by
becoming its greatest tool.
I realized that every place I had inhabited
was the result of a choice I had personally
and consensually made-and many of
those choices went against my better
judgment, against my truth; they were
made amidst self-doubt and desperation,
fully and completely due to my lack of love
and compassion for myself.
People will hurt you in life. Systems
of oppression no doubt will as well, but
when you make the choice to allow the
pain of oppression to control how you
treat yourself, and become the only lens
through which you focus your view of
others, you lose yourself and eventually
you start losing those around you. Selfvictimization is one tool a person can use
to never accept accountability for where
their life is. You can always conveniently
52
CURVE
APR/MAY
2017
blame the system. It was only through
sobriety that I became aware that I was
personally responsible for creating the
same patterns over and over, patterns that
reinforced my victimization. Whenever my
life fell apart, I never felt I needed to take
responsibility. To take responsibility meant
I needed to do something. Meant that I
could do something. I had been convinced
by the system to actually fear my own
personal power. That is the true meaning
of oppression.
Through relinquishing my personal
victimization came immense pain, guilt,
and regret for the years that I had allowed
myself to be so unkind to myself and,
through that lack of self-care, unkind to
others. But in the same breath, I figured out
that everything needed to fall apart before
I could make this realization, and it opened
up a place in me of immense personal
compassion, which led to being capable
of being more compassionate to others
than I ever knew possible. The power of
self-forgiveness opens up a pathway to
true love.
Through these acts, I began to integrate
and feel whole and feel peace in my body,
in my gender, and in my manhood. I began
to feel seen because I could finally see
myself. In allowing my struggle to become
my identity, I actually became invisible.
My gender is not above my humanity and
never will be again.
The finality of my integration came
when my father passed last April.
A parent dying can be extremely
destabilizing to one's identity. I am the
youngest of three, having an older
brother; by cultural standards, this
put him next in line to become a sort
of unspoken family patriarch. To my
surprise, this role was shifted to me. It
took me off guard and, due to my personal
views of patriarchal systems, made me
extremely uncomfortable. But I would
be lying if I didn't say it was strangely the
most validating way that my family could
ever have completely and absolutely
acknowledged me as male.
It dawned on me that I needed to grow
up, because I truly felt like a 43-yearold child. I had somehow relied on my
father's physical presence to never truly
feel as though I was responsible for my
own life, even though I was completely
independent. For the first time I felt the
presence and deep fear of my inner child.
A child with the burden of taking care
of my adult body. I knew the danger of
continuing on this path. So I finally reached
in and looked at little Lucas and I let him
see the grown-up I had become. I picked
him up and said, "I got this." I held him so
close that we finally became one.
For the first time in my life I felt my soul
and body integrated as one, and it was in
that moment that I realized what it truly
meant to embody my manhood. That it
had nothing to do with gender but that it
was about truly trusting, accepting, and
finally falling in love with Lucas Silveira.•
FEATURES/
Danielle
King's deep concern for the
well-being of others was nurtured
back in elementary school as she cared
for a blind and deaf classmate, and this
instinct was more clearly defined later
when she came out as gay in middle
school. "It wasn't cool to be gay," she says.
"My peers called me names and made me
feel uncomfortable. I didn't understand
why someone would want to hurt me:'
The challenges she faced in her youth
made King stronger and motivated her to
become an advocate for others.
Today, King, a former member of the
U.S. Marines, is nearing the completion
of a master's degree at Rutgers School of
Public Health and is also making plans to
help homeless LGBTQA teens and young
adults.
She volunteers as assistant chair of
Community Outreach for Disability Allies,
an East Brunswick, N. J., nonprofit that
pairs disabled young adults with mentors.
King traces her advocacy for challenged
individuals back to an elementary school
program that paired handicapped students
with nondisabled classmates during lunch.
THE BO
It was a life-changing moment when she
discovered that the girl next door, who was
both blind and deaf, could use a friend. "I
started taking her to the park after school
and realized that disabled people needed
involvement and interaction," she says.
She sought opportunities to work with
the disabled community, such as teaching
children with disabilities to swim.
At 18, King enlisted in the U.S. Marine
Corps for three years, including a oneyear deployment to Afghanistan as an
intelligence analyst. "Serving as a marine
made me more confident;' she says. "I
realized I could overcome any obstacle:'
When she entered the military, she
formed a group of LGBTQ women and
men near her base in North Carolina. "This
was during the time of 'Don't Ask, Don't
Tell,' which really put me in the closet;' she
says. "I found that many people had similar
stories about coming out to their families at
a young age. That's when it hit me that we
needed a voice:' Her service completed,
she enrolled in Middlesex Community
College, where she learned about careers
in public health. "I started taking classes
and thought, Oh, this is exactly what I want
to do, get into the grassroots of the issues
that plague our community," she recalls.
In 2014, King transferred to Rutgers
to finish her degree in public health and
became a health activist. Volunteering
with the Health Outreach, Promotion,
and Education (H.O.P.E.) peer education
program, she taught fellow students
about substance abuse and encouraged
them to pledge to be designated drivers.
She continues her work in improving
community health by working as an HIV
counselor and tester at Hyacinth AIDS
Foundation.
Her sights are now set on joining the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) in Atlanta, where she hopes to
establish a nonprofit joint venture with her
wife, Jahari Shears, fulfilling a dream to
support the LGBTQAcommunity.
"We want to be the adults teenagers can
look up to, if they don't have that support
at home. We want to provide a place for
them to go, and assist them with enrolling
in college or finding employment," she
says. "I want to share with them what I
learned as a marine: When you feel like
you're hitting a block, say, 'I've got this.' It'll
give them the energy to keep pushing."•
APR/MAY
2017
CURVE
53
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YOUCANHELPTHEM
DONATENOW
IFAW.ORG/CURVE
QIFAW
International Fund for Animal Welfare
FEATURES/
Every
body has a love story. A
decade-long romance that bloomed
with soul searching and coming out, the
award-winning columnist Jill Andrew and
television producer Aisha Fairclough have
made a commitment to each other-and
to activism.
By promoting body positivity in Canada,
they have become a power couple in
Toronto's LGBTQ community. Andrew, 38,
and Fairclough, 36, are co-founders of the
Body Confidence Canada Awards (BCCAs)
and Fat in the City. They're also part owners
of Glad Day Bookshop, North America's
oldest surviving LGBTQbookstore.
Back in 2013, during the Toronto
International Film Festival, Andrew and
Fairclough were at home-in the showerwhen the idea for the BCCAs was born.
"I said to Aisha, It's TIFF season," says
Andrew. "Films are going to be coming
out and they're not going to have any films
that star us-black women, or fat women,
or anything of the sort. Why don't we do
an event that will celebrate women of size
in TV and film and magazines-a toast to
curves!"
Though the two events are not affiliated,
the BCCAs were inspired by the United
Kingdom's Be Real Campaign and its
awards. This year will mark the fifth annual
BCCAs, which aim to reimagine body
diversity and to honor Canadians who
THE BO
fight against stereotypes, judgments,
and policies that discriminate against any
bodies. "Often people who are trailblazers
and who do the work don't get recognized
enough;' says Fairclough.
Before diverse representation started to
trend in the media, Andrew and Fairclough
started recognizing the political pioneers
who pushed back at beauty standards
and worked to make casting calls more
diverse. Before the BCCAs, and in addition
to their keynote talks and workshops, they
organized the Curvy Catwalk Fashion
Fundraiser and followed with BITEME!, the
Toronto International Body Image Film &
Arts Festival.
Lisa Gore Duplessis, also a co-owner
of Glad Day Bookshop and the Programs
and Community Services director at The
519, a charitable nonprofit agency in
Toronto, knows Andrew and Fairclough are
respected and loved by the local LGBTQ
community, both as activists and as a
queer couple.
"Their body positive campaign certainly
impacts a marginalized LGBT community;'
says Duplessis, who was involved with
providing The 519 as a space for the
latest BCCAs. "There's nothing more
empowering than meeting people who
face your own struggle and have your own
politics."
The pair question the way certain
cultural and economic spaces embrace
diversity or not: While there are more
models of color or plus-size people being
represented, they think it's still a very Eurocentric industry. "Those who have made it
as 'racialized people' and as 'fat people'there tends to be a tokenism element;'
explains Andrew.
While Andrew takes on her latest battle,
making weight discrimination illegal by
fighting to change the human rights
code in Canada-Fairclough supports her
through research on policies around the
world, and with backrubs.
For this duo, it was love at first laughand they have come a long way since
they met 13 years ago, from wearing
black leather jackets and intoxicating
scents to promoting good politics and
following through with a decision to
love each other. For Andrew, it was
Fairclough's dimples; for Fairclough, it
was Andrew's big personality-for both,
it's been about making a difference.
(bodyconfidencecanadaawards.com) •
APR/MAY
2017
CURVE
55
E
ven before they got engaged,
Jennifer Salinas and Shelly
Vincent were going to fightexcept this was no lovers' quarrel. It
might have been competitive, but it was
a matchup that one of the two pro boxers
didn't want. "I didn't think it was going to
be a good fight for me-she was a way
better fighter," Salinas remembers telling
her trainer. Vincent was intrigued, though
not necessarily in a pugilistic sense.
"I said, 'I don't want to fight her, I want to
.. : you know,'' Vincent laughs. "No, that's
the type of woman I would wife up:'
The fight never happened. But the whole
"wife up" thing, that's a commitment the
37-year-old Vincent is making good on.
After her July 2016 win over Christina Ruiz,
Vincent proposed to Salinas in the ring.
Salinas said yes, making it a double victory
for the Rhode Island residents, or maybe
even a triple one, considering that in the
world of boxing homophobia has been as
commonplace as mouthguards and gloves.
This time, the bulk of the community
greeted the news of the Salinas-Vincent
engagement with open arms.
"I actually thought that when I proposed
to Jen, that it might be a problem, but they
embraced it," Vincent says. "I feel like gay
is the new black. It's just accepted and it's
getting more embraced:'
Yet despite finding acceptance from the
boxing community, Salinas has discovered
that there was a price to be paid for her
happiness. In fact, for Salinas, a native of
Bolivia who came out as gay after living
much of her life in the shadows, this
decision has cost her in a number of ways.
"It went viral in Bolivia," Salinas says.
"It came out on every news channel,
every sports show, in newspapers and
magazines, and a lot of gay boxers reached
out to me, congratulated me, and basically
welcomed me into the gay world. But I
had a lot of sponsors in Bolivia, national
companies, I had the president's support,
and everybody dropped me once I came
out because now, according to them, I
wasn't that role model, that hero figure. A
lot of people also wished death on us, and
they said that if they ever saw us walking on
the streets of Bolivia, they would stone us:'
But Salinas, a mother of four currently
going through a divorce from her husband,
is not about to back down. She is a fighter.
"There was a group of people that really
supported us and a lot of women who were
in my situation;' she recalls. "They reached
out to me and they said I was helping
them find courage. When I came out, I lost
$70,000 [in sponsorship money] within
hours, but no money in the world can give
me the feeling that Shelly gives me. I'm so
happy now. I'm absolutely in love with her
and I've never been happier. I'm so proud
to hold her hand in front of everybody and
not worry about what people say or think:'
It is almost as if fate made all this happen.
Salinas and Vincent are two kindred spirits
who both suffered sexual abuse and other
personal tragedies as children, found the
same form of salvation through boxing,
and then just happened to cross paths
thanks to managers who wanted them to
throw punches at each other in the ring.
"What brought us to boxing was the
childhood sexual abuse, and what brought
us together was boxing, so we have similar
pasts and boxing saved us, and that's how
we met, through boxing;' says Salinas,
who in a 13-year career has won two world
championships, at 122 and 130 pounds.
Vincent has scored a pair of 122-pound
world titles in her own right, and competed
against Heather Hardy in the first women's
bout to be aired on major cable television
(NBC Sports Network) in several years.
Suffice it to say that they are pioneers
in many ways, but when all is said and
done, Salinas is still mom to her 8-yearold son and three girls, ages 4, 12, and 18,
and they all accept their mother's new
life and the love of her life, who is not shy
about screaming from the rooftops about
her lady. "I have certain things that I'm
private about, but you know me and my
personality-I don't hide;' says Vincent,
who wears a Guy Fawkes mask and a
straitjacket into the ring, where she's not
above doing some consciousness-raising:
"I wear the straitjacket to symbolize that
as women we're tied down in sports;'
she says. "I just like to be me and I'm not
ashamed of who I am. I wouldn't hide it,
and I wouldn't want to be with somebody
who would want to hide it:'
Salinas isn't hiding.
"I used to exist before;' says the fighter
known as The Bolivian Queen. "Now I'm
really living:'•
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I
have seen God a couple of times.
And not just after really great sex.
For some reason, whenever I've been
dieting or starting some kind of new
"health" regime, I have a God encounter.
I went on the Master Cleanse one time for
two weeks.
That's right. Nothing to eat. Just a drink
made of lemon juice, cayenne pepper,
and Grade B maple syrup six times a day.
Seven, if I got really hungry.
After Day 13, I'm walking, well, really
crawling home from somewhere thinking,
Hmmm, what's for dinner tonight?
Lemon, cayenne pepper, and water? Or
water. Lemon and cayenne pepper with
more water and lemon? Lemon, cayenne,
syrup, water, lemon lemon lemon, water
water ...and then I look up and there
is God-or
maybe it's the lady who
played Mother Nature in the old Chiffon
Margarine commercials. Remember her?
She says, "It's not nice to fool Mother
Nature!"
Anyway, I smile and she smiles back
and just when I'm going to ask, "Hey,
what's it all about, anyway?" she's gone.
And all I have left is this strange tingling
sensation ...and I feel strangely ...thin.
Another time, a friend of mine in Los
Angeles, Susie-who, like me, is also
always dieting and searching for the
fitness answer-Susie sends me a special
miracle "tea" she's discovered online. She
tells me to drink it three times a day and
the weight will just fall off! Of course I
start drinking it right away.
Well, after about a week, while we are
both drinking the tea, loving it, eating
nothing, and having amazing energy,
Susie calls me and says, "Sweetie, I think
we should stop drinking the tea."
"Really?" I say. "How come?"
"Well, I have a goiter. It's huge, and
the doctor says it might be because of
the tea. Has anything weird happened to
you?" she asks.
"Well, now that you mention it...I
keep seeing seven scary God faces
everywhere. I'm seeing them right now,
as a matter of fact. Hello!" (Hello, hello, hi,
hello, hey, hello, hello!)
"Well, sweetie, maybe it's the tea. Read
the label."
"OK, I'll call you back. C'mon, you guys,
follow me!"
Me (and the seven God faces hovering
above) walk over to the kitchen to read
the label on the tea. In tiny fine print,
next to a skull and crossbones, the label
warns anyone with even a slightly overor under-active thyroid (that would be
Susie) or anyone with a tendency toward
hypermania or psychosis (I guess that
would be me) to never consume this
tea, due to the possibility of extremely
adverse side effects. Wow.
So, Susie's thyroid totally blows outshe's on medication to this day. And I see
God, times seven, for a really long timeeven after I stop taking the tea ...
I guess the point of these stories is that
basically I will stop at nothing and I will try
almost anything to find the easiest way to
lose weight.
I've gone to fasting spas and hiking
retreats, hired dozens of personal trainers
and nutrition counselors, gone through
about 16 gym memberships (now I even
have a gym in my building, at least that's
what they tell me), tried myriad elixirs and
potions and remedies.
Sometimes some weight comes off.
But somehow I always creep back up
FEATURES/
THE BO_DY
____
to my comfortable resting girth, at just
under two bills.
I've always been a full-figured gal.
Chubby. Robust. Ample. Curvy. Zaftig.
My mom was obsessed with being thin.
She never weighed over100 pounds, ever,
in her entire life. Her mom, my grandma
Leenie, was a big gal. I remember seeing
her suffer pulling on her tight girdle in
front of a mirror, gasping at every tug:
"Oy, if I could only get it off with a knife,
this verkakte belly of mine ... Oy."
By the way-is Spanx the modern-day
version of a girdle? Because I've found
myself kind of doing the same thing that
Grandma Leenie did, standing in front of
a mirror, gasping as I pulled on a Spanx,
wishing that I were thinner to make
things easier.
I'm a feminist. I believe in women's
bodies and the celebration of all kinds
of women and our bodies. I'm also
a performer, and I'm used to being
celebrated but also scrutinized for my
appearance-just like we all are as women
in everyday life.
I love delicious food and wonderful
restaurants. Also, I'm always looking for
excuses not to exercise. After November
9, I decided that the end of the world is
certain-so
why not just eat well and
enjoy yourself, right?
I am so lucky to have had lovers
over the years, and now a gorgeous,
wonderful wife who appreciates me and
my sexy curves. Also, my friends and my
bandmates are always super-supportive
and insist that I should be proud of my
body, whatever my weight might be.
I think ultimately the key to selfconfidence
and rejection
of body
shaming has to come from within. I
probably won't stop researching miracle
ways to lose weight and get in shape.
But I also won't stop wearing my sparkly,
skin-tight onesies on stage. Also, I
will hopefully never stop encouraging
women of all shapes and sizes to stand
beautiful and proud, and show the world
some "Big Size Love."
It's also the name of the latest
BETTY song that we wrote, celebrating
how I feel. Please sing along next
time you come to one of our shows.
It might feel good! (hellobetty.com) •
Amy and BETTY perform at City Winery
NYC on April 9, tickets citywinery.com.
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FEATURES/
The
outspoken
bisexual
comic
isstillstanding
up
forherbeliefs.
argaret Cho proved she
was here to stay and in
full command of the
mic when she came out
with her 2010 Grammy-nominated comedy album Cho Dependent, and, ever since, we've come to know
that Cho can act, sing, and unabashedly
use the circus that is pop culture to protest
America's more egregious inequities and
elitism. Last summer she released her new
comedy album, American Myth, which was
nominated for another Grammy, alongside fellow feminist and queer comedy
colleagues, Tig Notaro and Amy Schumer
(they lost to Patton Oswalt).
If you're not familiar with Cho's on point
and provocative humor, watch her YouTube channel and judge for yourself. It's
a free country-or it was the last time we
checked-and stand-up comedy is one of
the last bastions of free speech. Cho's mission is to speak up (while we still have that
right) and harness the cathartic qualities of
hilarity. While her fiercely anti-George W.
Bush performances landed her in hot water back in the day, they also helped raise
her profile and vindicated liberals who resented being represented by such a boorish presidential presence. And here we are
again: Cho is now speaking out against
President Trump (while hosting the live online Premiere Ceremony, she shouted "F***
Donald Trump!" into the microphone).
The gleeful subversion with which Cho
approaches stand-up comedy has always
been a source of pleasure for her LGBTQ
fans, and, for many women, her bicultural
identity as an Asian-American female who
does not fit mainstream America's ideal of
feminine beauty claims a stake for intersectional feminism. Cho's bisexuality is also
integral to her material, and her routines riff
on some of the more controversial aspects
of sexuality, relationships, and body image.
Cho recently drew the ire of the audience
at a small comedy club in New Jersey for
discussing sexual assault in a way that
didn't go over as funny. But poking around
in our discomfort with these issues is part
of Margaret Cho's self-appointed role. She
announced that fact with her 2002 show,
Notorious C.H.O. She's also consistently
advocated for our community, co-hosting
Cyndi Lauper's True Colors Tour and fighting for marriage equality. She even became
deputized by the City of San Francisco to
perform same-sex marriages there. Her
COVERST
own marriage, to a man, dissolved in 2015,
and Cho is currently single.
Like many female performers, Cho often returns to her body, and the difficult
relationship she has with it, as a theme of
her monologues and routines. She's started two different fashion lines, studied belly dancing and burlesque, and become
heavily tattooed in the search for self-empowerment. She writes on her blog, "I love
tattooed women, maybe because they are
uncontrollable, they are themselves to the
point of drawing symbols of their power
on their skin. Talk about owning your own
body, being in your body, claiming yourself. I love it. When the world is in an uproar
over whether women should have a choice
or not when it comes to their own bodies,
being tattooed is one of the most visible
choices of all:'
Visibility matters to Cho, even if it means
trading on Asian stereotypes in order to
inject "Asian-ness" into the wider culture.
When Cho did a shtick as General Cho
Jung-Ya at the Golden Globe Awards in
2015, she was criticized for engaging in
"yellowface minstrelsy" by The Nation-but
was she going for a cheap laugh? "I can
do whatever I want when it comes to Koreans," Cho told Buzzfeed. "I'm not playing
the race card, I'm playing the rice card;' she
quipped. But she also acknowledged, "I'm
the only person in the world, probably, that
can make these jokes and not be placed in
a labor camp:'
The division between South Korea and
North Korea sundered Cho's family, and
she has acutely felt the effects of totalitarianism. Perhaps this accounts for her need
to be so outspoken-and for her sense of
investment in American culture, especially
the right to freedom of speech. The First
Amendment effectively makes Americans
cultural co-creators. So, if mainstream
American entertainment won't represent
Asians in commercial casting choices, Cho
will just bubble up between the cracks of
convention-when, where, and how she
pleases.
In May last year, well-respected thespian Tilda Swinton privately approached
Cho because she wanted to know how to
handle the backlash she was starting to
get from her role as The Ancient One in
Dr. Strange. In an email, Swinton acknowledged that she was a fan of Cho's and
wanted advice on the "diversity debate,"
now that her film was caught up in a HolAPR/MAY
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lywood "whitewashing" scandal. Swinton's
email asked to have a "private" conversation, one that might arm her with evidence
that it was not a problem that, as a white
woman, she had accepted the role of an
elder Tibetan male. Cho replied with a polite, chipper, but direct email, explaining to
Swinton that Asian-Americans are tired of
their roles and stories being whitewashed,
and that "we just want more representative
images of ourselves in film."
Swinton wrote back in a way that further attempted to absolve her in the situation; she felt The Ancient One in the
Marvel comic books was a negative Asian
stereotype-"the 'wise old Eastern geezer'
Fu Manchu type"-and that recasting the
character as a Celtic woman nicely side-
stepped a "tired cliche" and was a victory
for feminism. What Swinton failed to see
was that yet another role that could have
gone to an Asian actor had been erased.
Swinton ended the exchange with the revelation that she was developing a film starring Koreans in the hope that it would be
"a big deal," and some compensation for
Hollywood whitewashing elsewhere.
Later in a podcast, Cho expressed that,
for her at least, the exchange had replicated a Western-Eastern imperialist dynamic. "I felt like her house Asian...like I'm her
servant...like I was following her with an
umbrella;' said Cho. These comments got
picked up by the media and went viral, and
in retaliation Swinton released the private
emails to the press, and Cho's character-
AMERICAN MYT
,,.
ization of the exchange was criticized
by some. And yet when you read the exchange there is no doubt that Swinton had
the upper hand, was seeking absolution
from an Asian person, and that Cho, given
her vocation as a standup comic, would
inevitably mine the situation for comic
potential when she had the mic. Because
that's what she does. She speaks up.
As she does in American Myth, her latest
outing. The video to her song "Fat Pussy"
takes off sunny folk-pop anthems, but with
a chorus that warns, "Got a fat pussy and
a mean streak" and includes the chorus
"Nothin' better, nothin' wetter than a fat
pussy, fat pussy"-all sung by a gallery
of Asian stereotypes played by Cho, including an old woman practicing tai-chi!
"I Wanna Kill My Rapist" is darkly comic,
the video depicting Cho in command of a
sexual assault survivor/ self-defense boot
camp for women and girls. In one scene,
Cho liberatingly shaves her head, then
releases her hogtied rapist into the wild,
where she and a posse of females hunt
him down for vengeful sport. "Ron's Got
a DUI;' co-written with Garrison Starr, is a
toe-tapping country-pop tune about an
older alcohol-dependent gay man who is
best friends with a little girl. 'Tm happy as
can be, Ron's babysitting me;' sings Cho in
the provocative video in which Ron slops
some chardonnay into a princess teacup in
front of his underage charge.
What Cho is really saying with such material is that the culture we create can be
filled with anything we want. Do we have
to be so commercially conformist? No, no
we don't. She describes American Myth
as "my glamorous and glittering tribute
to family, comedy, anger, fame, gayness,
grief, fat pride, love and hate:'
We caught up with Cho for an unceremonious but sincere chat, starting while
she was in the bathroom and finishing after
she parked her car.
Last year, you and Jerry Seinfeld went
back to the New Jersey comedy club
where you had bombed while doing a bit
about sexual assault, and you apologized
to the audience and filmed it for his series
Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee. Why
was it important to you to do that?
The reason I did it, or went back, was
because that club is owned by a comedian, and that show had gone so badly that
it damaged the reputation of the club in
that particular small community. It's just a
comedian's code-to protect each other.
So I wanted to sort of make a nice way for
the community to re-examine their feelings about the club, go back there. It was
an opportunity to do that. I would've done
it whether or not there was a film. It was
not necessarily a statement to put it out
there online, but the fact that I decided
to go back ...l was talking to Jerry about it,
and he was so excited because he'd never seen that before. And so that was kind
of the reason he came along, that's why it
was something we did, because comedians never want to return to the scene of
the crime, and I think it's really important
to examine what happened. Because it's
interesting, also. I think it turned out really
well. I think part of the problem, too, was
that the material I was doing was very volatile. Talking about sexual abuse in a comedy context, it's really upsetting for people.
It's almost like they accept rape jokes from
male comedians who make light of itthey accept that much more than they do
a woman talking about abuse. And I'm not
making fun of it, but I'm definitely saying
you've got to talk about it and deal with
it somehow and make that OK for a night
out. And that was really upsetting for the
audience.
Do you think people are uncomfortable if
women are not victims, and portrayed as
victims? If they're powerful, like Hillary
Clinton? What did you make of her defeat
in the presidential election?
I think it reveals the deep misogyny that
exists in America, that we just can't accept
a woman in power. The fact that she's a really great politician-she's been in the service of this country for a really long time
and was a far better, more qualified candidate than Donald Trump-it's a joke. But
the fact is, there is so much misogyny that
exists that in a way it's insurmountable. In
her speech where she conceded, she was
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talking about it-it is the highest, hardest
glass ceiling. It's just not right: When we
have a bully candidate who's talking about
grabbing women's pussies, who has been
accused of basically sexual assault with
countless women, it's not right. It's a very
insane world when we'd rather have that
than a woman in power. It actually reminds
me a lot of what happened in Italy with Berlusconi. ..But you gotta make the most of it.
I think that during the Bush administration
a lot of comedians made their name. I certainly had a lot of fun [laughs]. The upside
is that art flourishes, activism flourishesso, we'll see.
And speaking of powerful women, how
do you really feel that the powerful actor
Tilda Swinton didn't see her own privilege in her email exchange with you?
To me, that entire thing was so entertaining because being in a fight with Tilda
Swinton, she's such a weirdo, it's like being
in a fight with Bjork. You don't know what
they're gonna do, they're super weird!
[Swinton] just doesn't understand, and
it's just that I believe Asian actors should
play Asian roles. There are so few roles out
there for Asians, I would like to see that
happen. I think Hollywood is catching up,
certainly television has gotten a lot better,
but I'd like to see Hollywood do better. I still
think Tilda is cool. She's a cool actress, for
sure. She's interesting, and always surprising. But the most amazing thing is, she is
kind of basic [laughs]. Oh, she's basic, that
was the most freaky thing to me. She's actually kind of a basic bitch. That's her decision [laughs].
Labels are important, but how do you
label yourself: bisexual Asian woman or
queer woman of color?
I mean, both apply. I think I don't really
use "queer" anymore. I use "bisexual," just
because there are so few of us. There's so
few who actually use that title, so I like using it for that reason. To me, it seems appropriate.
You're divorced from your husband. Anything to share about your current status?
No. No. Ah, you know, it's weird, because
this is the first time I've been single since I
was 5. I always had something going on,
and I really don't understand how to be single, although I'm celebrating it. It's fun, it's
certainly new, so I like it.
You have struggled with an eating disorder and with weight loss goals. How is
your relationship with your body now?
I definitely have a lot more acceptance
of it. And that ideal of thinness, it's weird
how much energy I put into that ideal. And
it doesn't really work. I don't know exactly
when or where I started feeling it; it might
be menopause or perimenopause, when
you just stop caring what people think.
And that's a good place to be. I feel like a
lot of my body issues were driven by my
hormones and my fear of not appearing
attractive enough, whatever, and these
ideals that are in Hollywood. I just don't
understand it, but I'm a lot better off without worrying about it. My eating disorder
is kind of off the charts, it's so crazy. It's the
thing that makes me do very damaging
things and I don't get it-for what? I don't
really care anymore. It's not useful to me.
Fat is fun [laughs]. I like it.
Where is your hair at? We appreciate it
short-you got a bit of lez cred there.
I did it for the video "I Want to Kill My
Rapist:' I wanted to do that sort of G.I. Jane
moment. Kind of Charlize Theron in Mad
Max, that kind of very tough moment...
but it's growing back. Right now it's just a
Sloane Ranger Princess Diana cut. I love
Princess Diana, so this is a good haircut for
me. I usually wear a tiara with it, which is
super fun. Because if you have short hair,
you can do anything-hats, tiaras. I have
fun with it.
You're part of the LGBTQIA community.
Are we getting more fragmented and
judgmental of one another?
I think there's got to be more unity because right now, especially with the Trump
administration, we literally are under
threat. I think the homophobia is getting
worse. We need to have more connection.
There is infighting, and there's always going to be infighting, but right now we have
to really be there for each other, especially
with the transgender community-talking
about transgender people with dignity
and respect. And that's a big part of what
everybody has been learning in the last
few years...l think we'll see language is
important, mutual respect within our community is important, and I hope there will
be a sense of peace there, so that we can
go after the people who are really fighting
us-not each other. (margaretcho.com) •
68BIG EASYBABES
72THE RIVERWILD
74VOLCANO LOVERS
68
SEAFOOD
AND SOUL
NE
WEST
VI
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New Orleans embraces queer women.
BY MERRYN
There's a special spirit in New Orleans.
Maybe it's the unmistakable patina of a
fascinating history. Maybe it's the libidinal
freedom that comes from partying 24/7.
For me, the sense of ease I get from being
in the Big Easy is because of its inherent
queerness. It's a part of America that
seems to have been untouched by the
Puritan spirit. A place where you can be
yourself, especially if that means sipping
a mimosa-to-go before noon and strolling
the French Quarter. This city is constantly
renewing itself while remaining true to
itself. It bounced back after the devastation
of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 to become
bigger, better, and brighter with a strong
and visible LGBTcommunity.
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JOHNS
WHERE
THE
GIRLS
ARE
For a steamy good time, Southern
Decadence on Labor Day Weekend
(southerndecadence.net) has something
for everyone, including Dykeadence,
which is the main lesbian event, along with
the dance party Fleurt! Thanks to Christine
Johnson and Jenna Ard-the dedicated,
friendly, and forward-thinking organizers
behind GrrlSpot (see sidebar)-there are
monthly pop-up nightclub events for
queer women and all gender identities all
year round in this city.
For queer relaxation and socializing,
The Country Club is a hidden oasis in the
Bywater neighborhood with a rich history
of serving the local gay community. Inside
this grand old house you'll find a pub-like
atmosphere with sustenance such as spicy
Bloody Marys and fresh Cajun fish tacos.
Out back there's an in-ground, resortstyle pool where you can frolic all day for
a modest cover charge. It's a great place
to meet new queer female friends on a hot
day. (thecountryclubneworleans.com)
Queer women also run businesses here,
and I was delighted to meet Carla Williams,
a lesbian boutique owner and woman
of color who moved from the Northeast
to New Orleans to pursue her interest
in selling meaningfully curated AfricanAmerican artifacts, crafts, fine art, gifts,
kitsch, and collectibles in a welcoming
space. Her store, Material Life, is worth
a visit and exemplifies the motto "Live
With What You Love." And that includes
a beautiful large-scale wall hanging by
the celebrated artist Mickalene Thomas,
which takes pride of place. (material.life)
WHERE
TO
EAT
AND
DRINK
Fuel up with breakfast at gay-owned
Vacherie, a charming and relaxed Cajun
cafe inside the quaint Hotel St. Marie,
located in a street with classic New
Orleans wrought iron facades. The
FEATURES/
servings are generous and homestyle.
(vacherierestau rant.com)
New Orleans cuisine extends beyond
fried chicken, catfish, charbroiled oysters
or shrimp po' boys-although they're all
delicious! Eating lighter is an option, such
as at Mopho, where Chef Michael Gulotta
creates Vietnamese-Louisiana fusion food
in a way which pair perfectly with Asianinspired cocktails. (mophonola.com)
For a classic local dinner, Arnaud's is a
time-honored tradition. Just off Bourbon
Street in the heart of the French Quarter,
Arnaud's serves up classic Creole cuisine
(think oysters six-ways, alligator sausage,
and seafood gumbo) with old school
service in turn of the century, date-worthy
dining rooms. Begin or end dinner the
French75 bar, where you must try the
namesake cocktail perfectly prepared by
experts. (arnaudsrestaurant.com)
There's something lazy and fun about
brunch, and in New Orleans there are
many options. None is better than at the
legendary, female-owned Commander's
Palace. This New Orleans landmark,
operating since 1893, is a special and
celebratory place and is famous for its fine
food and its 25c martinis! Ti Martin and
Lally Brennan have nurtured the venue to
James Beard Foundation standard, while
keeping it an enduring favorite with locals.
(commanderspalace.com)
WHERETO
STAY
The elegant Windsor Court Hotel,
walking distance to the French Quarter and
Bourbon Street, pays homage to European
royalty and you can act out your queenly
fantasies amidst the charming decor,
the product of a $22 million renovation.
Book a massage at the spa, take a dip in
the outdoor pool, and get into vacation
mode. At the high floor Club Level enjoy
continental breakfast and cocktails at
sunset. Dinner at the Grill Room presents
beautiful and tasty dishes such as delicate
tuna crudo and bouncy grilled Gulf shrimp,
and the Lobby Bar serves a perfect dirty
martini. If you time your cocktail right you
can enjoy Robin Barnes, jazz chanteuse
extraordinaire, who has a residence there.
(windsorcourthotel.com)
If you're a hipster at heart head to the
Ace Hotel, a hotspot for locals and visitors
with its rooftop bar, chic lobby lounge,
coffeeshop and music venue. The rooms
have the distinctive style of an artistic
TRA
warehouse apartment, and these suites
have the swagger and self-confidence
of the city itself. There are six types to
choose from, but it's the spacious, loftstyle Ace Suite that had us wanting to stay.
Sup on local oysters at Seaworthy raw bar
then continue on to dinner at Josephine
Estelle, the hotel's romantic osteria which
boasts a menu featuring innovative dishes
dreamt up by James Beard-nominated
chefs. Feeling casual and budgetconscious? Enjoy al fresco snacks on the
roof at Alto. Ace Hotel has it all, including
entertainment, from swing to hip-hop.
(acehotel.com/neworleans)
THINGS
TO
SEE
AND
DO
Get your bearings with a gay heritage
walking tour of the French Quarter.
Glenn DeVillier is like a walking history
book-only
much more fun-dishing
little-known facts about the city's past,
including the powerful businesswomen
of early days and the gay artists who
lived here, such as Tennessee Williams.
(glfdevilliers.com/about-the-tours.html)
It may surprise you to learn that New
Orleans is naturally abundant, with
Lake Pontchartrain and Bayou St. John
providing a refuge for many birds, fish,
and animals. No need to hit the gym;
take a Kayak tour on the bayou and see
New Orleans from a different angle. The
folks at Kayak-lti-Yat lead groups during
the day, weather permitting (kayakitiyat.
com). For less strenuous exercise, walk
through New Orleans City Park's 1,300
acres of beautiful botanical gardens,
including the New Orleans Museum of
Art, and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden.
Stop for cafe au lait and beignets at
Morning Call refreshment kiosk located
in the park that has been serving
locals since 1870. If you've never tried
beignets-the
chewy and addictive
pastry treat-this is a good place.
Day or night, live music is all around
you in New Orleans; on the streets, in
hotels, pubs, nightclubs, and churches.
But if burlesque is more your scene,
catch Whiskey and Rhinestones, by
Bella Blue, the queer darling of the
New Orleans burlesque scene. Bella
works with her life and business partner
AJay Strong to produce
LGBTQfriendly spectacles
with a variety of
performers from their talented troupe
(thebellalounge.com).
Whatever your
passion, follow your NOLA and plan
your itinerary! (neworleansonline.com) •
GrrlSpot started in February 2006 as
a small gathering of lesbians returning
to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
In 2010, when Ard and Johnson began
dating, they pitched ideas on how to shape
GrrlSpot into "a movable and memorable
space for everyone under the queer
umbrella to meet, see shows, and dance
their faces off," says Ard. GrrlSpot went
from "a small gathering of mostly white
lesbians in a dive bar, to beautiful venues
packed with some of the most diverse
queer crowds I have ever seen," says
Johnson. "Individuals across all spectrums
attend our events, and we create and
maintain safe spaces for our guests."
No permanent home means freedom
and variety, says Ard. "Depending upon the
venue, we can have aerialists, fire-spitters,
burlesque performers, drag performers,
live art. Christine and I have been very
deliberate in our work crossing boundaries
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among groups in the city, through
charity benefits and outreach.
We strive to make everyone feel
welcome-trans
folks, people of color,
and people of all ages and abilities.
GrrlSpot belongs to everyone, and
the incredible diversity of our guests
shows that we are accomplishing our
goals."
If you don't feel welcome in your
Southern state, head to New Orleans.
"New Orleans is a colorful bubble
of liberalism and acceptance within
the dark red South, and it has been
for centuries," says Johnson. "For a
small city, New Orleans has a large
LGBTQ population, and as our political
climate declines, and intolerance
spreads, New Orleans will remain a
safe haven for LGBTQ people. Come
as you are, NOLA welcomes you, no
questions asked."
• See one of Bella Blue's burlesque
shows. Internationally-acclaimed Bella
has performances in different venues
around town, almost every night of the
week
• Greetings, From Queer Mountain is a
fun and unique queer storytelling show
held on the second Friday of each month
• Krewe du Vieux-the provocative adults
only parade kicks off the three-week long
Mardi Gras season
• Gay Easter Parade, where queers in
horse-drawn carriages parade through
the French Quarter in fabulous Easter
hats
• New Orleans Pride, the fastest growing
Pride fest in the country, and its party,
Rouge
• Dykeadence, Labor Day Weekend,
for women, trans people, and people
of color during Southern Decadence
Weekend (a.k.a.Gay Mardi Gras).
ftnD
CWllD
Rafting West Virginia's
Gauley River.
BY JILL GLEESON
Of the eight people in our boat, seven
are women-and this is a good thing,
according to Jo-Beth Stamm, our guide
on this trip down the infamous Gauley
River. Stamm, who works for Adventures
on the Gorge, a local adventure resort,
is a talented enough paddler that she
competed on the women's U.S.Whitewater
Raft Team at the 2015 World Whitewater
Rafting Championship in Indonesia. And
according to her, women usually make
better rafters.
If you're into whitewater rafting, then
every autumn, during the six-week-long
dam release season, the Gauley River turns
into one of the toughest, most intense,
and altogether glorious waterways in
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the country. "Whitewater rafting is about
teamwork," Stamm says, "and men are
usually all about competition. They're so
busy trying to outdo each other that they
don't work together. Women do. I've had
football players in my raft-big, strong
guys-who were the worst paddlers on the
river that day."
Teamwork is especially crucial on the
Upper Gauley, which drops 335 feet in
just 12 miles, spawning dozens of rapids.
Stamm spends the quiet time after we
put into the water stressing that we
need to follow her directions precisely.
When she tells us to paddle forward,
we paddle forward. When she tells us to
paddle back, we paddle back. Our safety
depends on it. I understand her gravity
when I spot the day's first Class V-the
biggest, most dangerous rapids that
commercial guide services are permitted
to navigate. It's a roaring, raging monster
called, with tongue firmly planted in
cheek, "Insignificant."
There's no time to do much but glance
briefly ahead at the whitewater churning
down the river for what looks like eternity.
Then I'm pushing hard, paddling with
every bit of power I've got, desperate to
help turn our raft away from the pour over
created by the submerged boulder dead
ahead of us. If we're carried over it and
into the backwash at the bottom, we'll
upend for sure. Stamm, so serene before
we entered Insignificant, is screaming
instructions, but I can barely hear her. The
river's monumental growl sounds like an
enraged animal, something with teeth
and claws.
My arm and shoulder muscles are
burning, and my feet, braced stoutly
against the bottom of the raft, ache
with the tension and stress. I'm trying
desperately to keep myself in the boat
as we're hurled into a series of massive
waves. They rise and fall sharply,
FEATURES/
unpredictably, and at one point I'm
tossed sideways, to the bottom of the
raft. I scramble back up and continue to
battle the water. It hits me ceaselessly, as
if a crowd of people were hurling great
buckets of the stuff at my face and body.
And then we're through Insignificant.
The river settles and I let out a triumphant
yowl. I'm panting with exertion, soaking
wet, and about as happy as I've ever been
in my life. We've bested the Gauley's first
Class V rapid. We've only got four more
to go.
The Gauley is one of two rivers that
wind through the New River Gorge area of
West Virginia. More than 70,000 acres of
the gorge are federally protected, offering
some of the country's best opportunities
for rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking,
horseback riding, ziplining, and just about
every other outdoor adventure possible.
But rafting is the gorge's undisputed
queen of outdoor adventures. The
Gauley, a mild ride through spring and
summer, morphs into the legendary Beast
of the East each fall, when the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers releases water into
it from the Summersville Dam. Its sister
river, the New, is wildest in springtime,
when snowpack melt and seasonal rains
frenzy its waters. Every year, whitewater
enthusiasts from all around the world
come to call by the tens of thousands.
I'd rafted the New almost a decade
before and gone into the drink twice, once
in a Class V rapid. Over the ensuing years,
I'd developed a fear of wild water. I meant
this Gauley trip to cure me of it, and with
each Class V I attempted and conquered
I grew more confident. Stamm helped.
TRA
During the times when the river was calm
she also relaxed, cracking jokes like "Why
aren't men good paddlers? They think
faster and harder are the same thing." I
was more than a little in awe of her and
trusted her completely.
By the afternoon's end, after we'd
successfully run the legendary 14-foot
Sweets Falls, not only managing to keep
the boat upright but actually staying in it
as well, I didn't ever want to leave the river.
Adrenaline coursing through my body,
every sense heightened, I'd once again
fallen for rafting and the New River Gorge.
Luckily, our group was camping by the river
that night and paddling the Lower Gauley
the next morning. Would that satiate me?
Tucked into my sleeping bag, I began to
plan a rematch with the New come spring.
(adventuresonthegorge.com) •
qovtRs
Living large on the Big Island of Hawai'i.
BY MERRYN
Recently, I took an informal survey
among my friends as to which was their
favorite Hawaiian island. The answers were
as diverse as the islands themselves, but
the Big Island saw some big love: for its
distinctive and diverse geography, and
its three active volcanoes- Mauna Loa
(which last erupted in 1984 and is due
for an eruption) Kilauea, which has been
continuously erupting since 1983, and
Loihi, located underwater off the southern
coast. Like the other Hawaiian islands the
Big Island offers plenty to do, such as
hiking, biking, snorkeling and swimmingwith white sand, black sand, and a green
sand beach to choose from. There are tons
of adventures to have on this island, but do
74
CURVE
APR/MAY
2017
JOHNS
them with KapohoKine Adventures. This
award-winning, sustainability certified,
gay-owned tour company conducts fun,
informative and safe expeditions in Kona,
Hilo and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Plus, KapohoKine Adventures is the only
tour operator on Hawai'i that provides
transportation from every hotel or vacation
rental on the Kona-Kohala Coast and Hilo
districts, which makes life easier for you if
you are new to the island.
WHERE
TO
STAY
Because the Big Island is big you need to
choose your accommodations depending
on which part of the island you need to
get to. For a base on the west coast, we
were recommended the Courtyard King
Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. Located
an easy drive from Kona International
Airport, and on the historical site where
King Kamehameha, the famous King of the
Hawaiian Islands once lived, the modern
hotel has its own white-sand beach, with
the shopping, convenience and attractions
of Kailua-Kona just moments away. The
guest rooms are generous in size, have
comfy bedding, and free Wi-Fi, and private
balconies with views over Kailua Pier from
which you may witness the reenactment
of King Kamehameha's sunset landing by
outrigger canoe. (konabeachhotel.com)
For access to the windward, east
side of the island, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
is the best full service hotel, offering a
banyan-tree lined approach, beautiful
ocean views, and the backdrop of Mauna
Kea in the distance. The property has a
midcentury Hawai'i vibe and the charm of
yesteryear, especially with its fun, familyoriented Sunday seafood buffet. Located
on Hilo Bay, and close to Hilo Airport,
it's well situated for exploring the town,
the coastline and its lovely tidal pools,
and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
(hilohawaiianhotel.com)
FEATURES/
THINGS
TO
SEE
AND
DO
Take the Waipi'o Valley Explorer, a
day trip tour that feasts your eyes on
the spectacular and dramatic Big Island
landscape. The this tour charts the
northeastern side of Hawai'i's Hamakua
Coast after a mesmerizing drive through
the unique landscape between the Mauna
Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes. First stop
is Rainbow Falls in Hilo, a waterfall that
literally produces rainbows from its mist;
then onto Hilo Farmers Market and stalls
overflowing with bountiful local fresh
produce, snacks, flowers, handmade
local arts and crafts. Onomea Bay and
the Hawai'i Tropical Botanical Garden will
soothe your soul with their tranquility, and
the opportunity to hike gently through
more orchids, tropical flowers and palm
forests than you've seen in your lifetime,
and onto the Akaka Falls State Park with its
singular 442-foot tall waterfall. Venture off
the beaten track with a transfer at Waipi'o
Valley Artworks to a four-wheel-drive van
and a white knuckle but fun, one-thousandfoot descent down into the breathtakingly
beautiful and magical Waipi'o Valley. This
was once the boyhood home of King
Kamehameha, and it feels enchanted.
Over the next couple of hours your guide
will take you through the valley and explain
local customs and lifestyle, and if you're
lucky you will rest beside a pebbly river
and taste fresh young coconut.
For something simply stunning (and
romantic) see Kilauea Volcano and Hawai'i
Volcanoes National Park on a fully narrated
adventure that culminates in an evening
volcano tour-from
a safe distance!
Leaving the lush greenery of Hilo behind
you soon enter the strangely beautiful
black basalt lava flows in Kalapana, a
village completely destroyed by lava just
a few years ago. Walk across the solidified
lava flows to the newest black sand beach
on the island-which was once the best
swimming beach on Hawai'i Island.
Nothing lasts forever, not even in paradise!
A visit to Volcano Winery is next with a
group tour, wine tasting and early al fresco
BBQ dinner in verdant surroundings, then
it's onto Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park,
where you'll want to brush up on your
volcano knowledge at the Jaggar Museum
before taking in the incredible sight of
the volcanic craters, steam vents, the
famous red glow of Halema'uma'u Crater
at sunset. Or you can take the Kilauea
Hike 'n Glow Tour, which was designed
for the more active visitor looking to hike
into unique areas of the Hawai'i Volcanoes
National Park and discover what makes
TRA
this place a UNESCO World Heritage Site
and International Biosphere Preserve.
After a walk through the Thurston Lava
Tube, hike down into the Kilauea lki crater
through the rainforest and across the stillsteaming crater floor. Tarry for a simple
lunch of sandwiches, embark on the return
hike and conclude with a sunset stop at the
glowing Halema'uma'u Crater. For those
wanting to get up close and personal with
the lava flows, KapohoKine Adventures
have added Lava Expeditions to their many
tour options. Not for the faint of heart or
the poor of health, this tour takes you
out to the active eruption site where you
have your best chances of seeing flowing
molten lava with a National Park Service
certified guided.
And let's not forget the high excitement
of ziplining! I am a self-confessed zip
lining wimp but through Zipline Through
Paradise, KapohoKine Adventures, offers
a top-notch, safe, expert, eight-line zip
course that is the only course in the
Hawaiian Islands to use on every line a
redundant double-cable safety system,
zipSTOP automatic brakes and dual lines
so that you can zip with your special
lady. It's an incredible high to zip over a
dramatic waterfall with your gal! Reward
yourself for your fearlessness with a
romantic, casual, and healthy dinner
at Hilo Bay Cafe where you can enjoy,
locally
inspired
seasonal
dishes,
artisanal sushi (try the spicy lava sushi
roll), modern American food (try the
Maui rum BBQ ribs or the taro-quinoa
veggie
burger)
and hand-crafted
cocktails while gazing at the sapphire
blue sea and majestic Mauna Kea in
the distance. (hilobaycafe.com)
LAVA
LOVERS
The gorgeous guys behind all the
volcanic fun are Tony Delellis and Gary
Marrow, who moved from L.A. to the
sleepy town of Kapoho on the eastern
coast of Hawai'i. Their tour company,
KapohoKine Adventures (kapohokine.
com) began when they put together
itineraries to show visiting friends and
family around, and they soon realized
they could offer their knowledge to the
hundreds of ocean liner passengers
disembarking
in Hilo, looking
for
something to do. "We'd drive down to
the port in our Suburban with some
champagne, sushi, and a handmade
APR/MAY
2017
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75
sign offering local tours, and it just
took off," says Marrow. Fast forward a
are
respected
and
supported
by
impact of every guest. KapohoKine
guides are open, tolerant, and well-
decade and Delellis and Marrow now
boast more than 30 vehicles, 100
locals
who
benefit
from
these
v1s1onary
business
owners
and
the contribution
they make to the
versed in local lore; it's through
a guide that I learned historically,
diverse
offices
island.
A
KapohoKine
Hawaiians
were
polygamous
some had same-sex relations,
menu
and dedicated
employees,
in Hilo, and an extensive
of award-winning
tours
that
suit tourists and travelers alike.
Always out and proud, the couple
substantial
employer,
also gives back to the
local community
through
charity
drives and sustainability, with all tour
guides mindful of the environmental
The lead singer of the band BETTYhas
a house in Puna, an hour south of Hilo.
Depending on gigs, she spends about
the black sand clothing optional beach. "It's
dangerous because it's black sand and the
shelf drops off right away. That being said,
it's incredible to swim there. Dolphins, and
3 months of the year there to recharge.
"It's all about nature here," says Ziff.
whales breech there in season because the
water is so deep." For Ziff the goddess vibe
"Adventure and a rougher side of Hawaii.
Rough seas, dramatic coasts, flowing lava,
swimming with dolphins, going to tidal
pools, snorkeling, surfing. My area is really
gay and a half hour walk from Kehena,
is strong. "Pele (the Hawaiian goddess of fire
and volcanoes) does what she wants, you
never know where she's gonna pop out. It's a
place that women can really be themselves.
Hang loose."
natural conservationists,
and
were
and had the
kind if values that we should cherish in
today's not-so-always-United States.•
• Yoga at Kalani Oceanside
Retreat. "It was started by a
wonderful
gay man called Richard
Koob. He is responsible
for
creating a really gay vibe there
and people came over 30 years
and stayed." (kalani.com)
• Uncle Robert's
Awa Club, an
open air joint with live Hawaiian
music, open mic, at the end of
Red Road, Kaimu, Kalapana. "Do
your thing and nobody really
bothers you. It's not a big deal to
be gay or lesbian
there,"
says Ziff.
• Thai food in Pahoa at Ning's.
"BETTY has a song called Sticky
Rice on our new CD that we wrote
about the Sticky Rice and Mango
dessert from there. So good I"
•Lookup.
amazing.
"Star gazing is
You feel like you're
in the Milky Way, it's so close
and bright. Full moon lights up
like the sun and casts shadows
everywhere."
• Visit with your lover because
"most people are coupled off ..
but there's always the thruple!"
FEATURES/
TRAVELTRENDS
READERSNAPOF THE MONTH
QUEER
WOMEN
MORE
LIKELY
TO
TRAVEL
A new survey conducted by luxury LGBT-friendly travel company OutOfOffice.com has revealed that we lesbians and bi women plan to set our out-of-office email response more than twice
as often as straight women in 2017. And because travel makes
us happy, we'll likely be smiling a lot more because of it. Sweet!
OutOfOffice asked 2,587 people about their gender, sexuality
and holiday intentions and the result was that lesbians and bi
women plan to travel 3.84 times, whereas our straight sisters
will do so only 1.71times. The reason for this may be that LGBT
travellers generally have more disposable income and that we
are likely to take
several short trips
rather than one
long vacation.
What's more,
recent studies
have proven that
spending money
on experiences
rather than physical things leads
to higher levels
of happiness.
In other words:
keep setting that
out-of-office!
CJ
>
C/J
I
ReAnna,
California
Emaileditor@curvemag.com with
tips and tricksor fave destinations.
Lou-Lou and Arte are two girls
in love. Currently travelling the
world, they sent us this snapshot from their hut in Pulau
Weh, Sumatra in Indonesia.
Having recently graduated from university in the
Netherlands, they set up
their lnstagram account to
inspire other couples. "Our
dream is to travel and work
around the world together. As a
lesbian couple we want to inspire
other gay people to travel as well,
with whomever you love."
C/J
W'HArSVPNIC?
"I am planning a trip to
New York City but don't
know where the gay girl
bars are or if they have
all closed down. Can
you please recommend
someplace that is friendly
especially to queer women
of color who are traveling with
their partners but who want to
meet other QWOC?"
TRA
Hi ReAnna!
Yes, there are still good
bars for les-bi-queer
girls in the Big Apple!
If you're looking for
a bricks-and-mortar
establishment and a safe,
women-majority space
that offers value, diversity,
good drinks, and entertainment,
then Henrietta Hudson, the long-running
lesbian bar in NYC's West Village, is for
you. The lesbian owners Minnie and
Lisa go out of their way to make you
feel at homel Shoot some pool, dance,
make new friends. The joint is jumping
especially on weekends.
Visithenriettahudson.com
formoreinfo.
TRAVELTRIVIA
DID
YOU
KNOW
THAT...
Fort
Lauderdale,
Florida
Q..
.was the first destination
to feature transgender
models in a mainstream
tourist campaign? The Greater Fort
Lauderdale Convention & Visitors
Bureau launched the campaign at
the beginning of January.
...
Turin,
Italy
9
has been named Italy's
first vegetarian city? The
otherwise meat-loving country
has embraced plant-based eating
as the new mayor of Turin, Chiara
Appendino, revealed it will become
Italy's first veggie city. They even
have "veg maps" for tourists!
APR/MAY
2017
CURVE
77
II
I THE
I L-OUIZ
Test your
lesbian knowledge
with our queer crossword.
BY MYLES MELLOR
DOWN
ACROSS
27 Sexy actress who was in
Sporty Megan
a relationship with Tasya
5 Soul companion
9 Lesbos poet
11 Caitlyn, transgender
pioneer
27 Champion UK boxer,
Nicola
29 Feminine suffix
3 Ultimate
28 London cop
30 Model Samantha,
4 Dorothy's auntie, in Oz
30 Hard to satisfy
5 Make taboo
32 Wade opponent in a
famous legal case
partner for Myra
31 LGBTally, Parks & Rec
12 Hesitant expression
14 Wall Street subject, for
short
16 Sexy Scanlon, dating
Megan Marx from
Bachelor Australia
19 Dodge vehicle
21 Not that either
22 Lively Cuban dance
star
Plaza
33 Former partner
6 Dominate, in a way
7 Tall tale
of Lindsay Lohan,
8 Controversial lesbianfeminist, Sheila
Samantha
10 Coming_
15 Bother
o
s
N,. 0
S
39 '50s blonde bombshell
17 Pro
••
affair with her female
25 That is, for short
German drama teacher
20 Like Ellen and Portia, for
example
2017
37 Airline abbreviation
38 Terrier or Scottish island
23 Sporty Brittney
APR/MAY
35 Vote against
13 Mixes at a party
18 Compass direction
CURVE
34 _god! teen texting
cliche
36 Physique, slangily
who reportedly had
78
24 2016 Olympics host city
2 Cinema date food
Van Ree, first name
8 Talk a lot
Outspoken comedian,
first name
N A 7
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THE
CURVE
POWER
LIST
-
MARKtTP
NOMINATIONS
NOW
OP[N!
LESBIAN,Bl ANO QUEERWOMEN WORKINGIN ACTIVISM,
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ANO POLITICSARE
CREATINGNEW AVENUESFOROPPORTUNITYANO SUCCESS
AS THE LGBTQCOMMUNITY IN THE US RENEWSITSPURSUIT
OF A MORE INCLUSIVEAGENDA FORGENDER
ANO SEXUALMINORITIES
THE CURVEPOWERLISTBRINGSTOGETHERINFLUENTIAL
LGBTQWOMEN'SVOICES THE LISTIS NOT DETERMINEDBY
ECONOMIC STATUS,EDUCATION,QR SKIN COLOR, BUT BY
INFLUENCEANO POSITIVECHANGE ACROSSOUR COMMUNITY
NOMINATIONS
CAN
BrMADt
INTHtrnllOWING
CATtGORlrS:
INSTANT ACCESS TO
THE NATION'S TOP
LGBT REALTORS
lll6iimlll
mll11'/illl
l lUl;11
ilMlm~;~,I
WHERE
'THE NEW
TESTAMENT'
MEETS 'THE
TWILIGHT
ZONE'
WHICH
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APR/MAY
2017
CURVE
79
AprilShowers,
MayFlowers
It's a hot mess of planetary activity with five planets
going retrograde. Get wet, but don't drown.
BY CHARLENE LICHTENSTEIN
ARIES
(MARCH
21-APRIL
20)
Your imagination can run
amok leading to jealousy,
recrimination and foolhardy
delusions. Let your heart
loose, let it soar and let it
embrace the craziness.
It could be fun and life
AMBER HEARD
was born on April 22, 1986
changing. But be sure to
enter any affair with your eyes
TAURUS totally open and focused.
(APRIL
21-MAY
21)
Amazon Bulls are money
managers of the zodiac.
If you have some funds to
invest, consult this savvy
sapphic woman. She will not
put your life savings in crazy
high risk money schemes.
Rather, she will carefully
place your nest egg in a
conservative money market
or annuity. It may not triple in
a year, but you are practically
guaranteed to feast on fluffy
omelettes in your old age.
GEMINI
(MAY
22-JUNE
21)
Lesbian Twins are the earn
it and burn it types when it
comes to finances. She is
far more interested in the
excitement of money and
what it can buy rather than
its long term power and ease.
She is also rather generous
with her possessions. For
these reasons she is apt
to squander her payload
as fast as she can grab it.
Save a little for a rainy day?
Fuggetaboutit, sister!
..................................................
TAURUS
(APRIL
21-MAY
21)
Gal pals want to not only get
into your personal business,
they also decide that they
know what is best for you.
That might be true, Taurus, as
you may be extra dreamy and
impractical now. But take the
risk to choose, even if your
choice is silly.
GEMINI
(MAY
22-JUNE
21)
As you claw your way to the
top of the corporate heap,
you may find that what you
took for granted is not a sure
thing anymore. The chess
board of political intrigue has
changed while you looked
away and partied. Get back to
the strategic fight, Gemini.
CANCER
UUNE
22-JULY
23)
Your world view becomes
more global and maybe even
a bit off kilter. Stop following
the fake news, Cancer, and
get the real story by seeing it
up close for yourself. Explore
the globe with company.
Girlfriends are ready for
anything and everything. How
many of them can you pack
into your itinerary?
Charlene
Lichtenstein
is theauthor
of HerScopes:
A Guide
toAstrology
LEO
(JULY
24-AUG
23)
ForLesbians
(Simon
& Schuster)
nowavailable
asanebook.
There will be sexual high
(tinyurl.com/HerScopes)
8:; jinx aplenty this spring as
80
CURVE
APR/MAY
2017
your heart cannot be tied
down and knows no bounds.
(Unless tying up is your
thing ...?) Lionesses whose
eyes are too big for their
appetites may find that their
balancing act between a
choice of lovergrrls spills
over messily into other parts
of their life.
VIRGO
(AUG
24-SEPT
23)
Certain relationships
may undergo a dramatic,
unexpected change. Have
you been too attentive or
not attentive enough with
partners, Virgo? See which
tight package is delivered
to your love nest. Will she
be C.O.D., fragile, or time
sensitive?
LIBRA
(SEPT
24-0CT
23)
Try not to expose yourself
to too much stress now. You
may find that life becomes
too much of a whirlwind
and moves slightly out of
control. But this may also be
a time of consolidation, good
decision-making and goal
achievement. Of course we
are talking about luscious
Libra so expect more
exposure!
SCORPIO
(OCT
24-NOV
22)
Party on, Scorpio! Not only
will you find yourself invited
to all of the selective hot
spots, you become a bit of
a hot spot yourself. Ladies
want to get to know you
better and you get to know
some of them better, too.
Decorate yourself with an
array of arm candy and see
who tempts your sweet
tooth.
SAGITTARIUS
(NOV
23-DEC
22)
Although it's nice to get closer
to certain family members,
try to draw clear boundaries
with them. Relationships can
be improved but there will be
a point of diminishing returns
and maybe even a frustrating
surprise or two. Sagittarians
with a yen to connect are
better off spreading their
personal oil on lovergrrls.
CAPRICORN
(DEC
23-JAN
20)
Something light that you say
off the cuff can ignite a raging
fire now, Capricorn. Are you
ready to rumble? If not, then
say what you mean and mean
what you say, but say it very
diplomatically. When in doubt,
just let your hands to the
talking. Will there be roaming
charges ...?
AQUARIUS
UAN
21-FEB
19)
Aqueerians may want to
splurge on a certain special
lovely but I suggest a little bit
of caution now. Your generous
heart knows no bounds and
you may be wasting your
money as well as your time.
But if you don't mind being
taken for a ride, go ahead. It
could be a quick but exciting
joyride.
PISCES
(FEB
20-MARCH
20)
You are not only the epicenter
of everyone's attention;
anything you do or say will
ripple quickly. So plan on your
next big move and go forward
with your plans. Expect a
few surprises along the way.
Even your missteps can be
charming, depending on
which Miss you step on.
Ouch!
RADICALLY
FLAWLESS
•
•
•
\
[;very
one-of-a-kind
daring
personality-comes
Tiawless. But smoking
feature-from
your edgy fashion
together
cigarettes,
to create
which
your personal
can cause damage to
nearly every part of your body, can distract
Stay radically
to your
Tiawless. Live tobacco-free.
from your uniqueness.
'
'
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